“You’re moving where??” was the response I received from most of my friends in the Washington DC area when I told them that I would be spending the winter in Aspen. To them, Aspen is a celebrity studded snow globe where couture shops line the streets and no one skis before noon. The reality is that while some Aspen visitors fall into this stereotype, they are overwhelmed by a majority of friendly locals, seasonal workers and family vacationers who all gravitate to Aspen for the love of skiing.
One of my favorite parts of the intern experience is discovering the hidden side of Aspen, getting to know some of Challenge Aspen’s “regulars”, locals who have lived here for over 40 years and seasonal workers from all over the world. Whether 8 or 80 years old, born and raised in the valley or from a different hemisphere, Aspen is brimming with people who love this town. The general feeling of goodwill is prominent in my daily interactions with people.
After sitting in classrooms for as long as I can remember, it has been so incredibly refreshing to learn from a source that is not a book, and that is exactly what I have found here in Aspen. I have learned about so many different cultures; South African, Peruvian, Argentinian to name a few. I have learned that life is full of opportunities and jobs that make you happy, if you look hard enough. And I have learned that “smart” isn’t limited to those who excel in the classroom.
Most importantly, I have learned that the word “disability” is impossible to define. One day it means a young lady with cerebral palsy who tears down the hill on a snowboard, another day it means a boy with autism who skies better than I do. Every day is different, but I know that every day I will be impressed with what these people with a “disability” are capable of.
Written by Leandra, Winter 2014-2015 Intern
