It's Been 5 Months....
It's snowing in Utah now. As I get ready for the winter I thought it
would be nice for me to update everyone on exactly what I am up to this
winter and what has happened since I last updated five months ago.
Sorry for the long absence, I really have no excuse. My long absence
was actually brought to my attention today by a facebook message I
received. And I quote "Dude, It's been five MONTHS since you've updated.
Are you doin' ok these days???" To answer your question Renate, and
everyone else out there that cares, I'm doing great. I'll try to fill
you in on the last five months and be as concise as possible.
Since May I have been living out in Utah with hopes of getting back to training with the US team. I have been in the gym everyday focussing on one aspect of the challenge- strength training. Thats the easy part. As some of you know I lost most of my strength last summer while I was in the hospital, weighing only 137lbs. when I finally moved back home in September 09. It was a long, painful, and sometimes hopeless journey back, but after 15 months of rehab and training I am in the best shape of my life. I'm weighing 168lbs now, just a little bit heavier than I was before.
The other aspect of the challenge was getting clearance from USSA to return to sport. I will try to explain this as well as I can. USSA (like most professional sport teams) has a committee of doctors in place to review and approve, or deny a return to sport after an injury like mine. When I first met with USSA in May I was told to improve my impact score, and have my doctor (who has cleared me to return to competition) get in touch with the committee about my return. Over the next four months I did as we agreed and waited for a decision to be made. I improved my impact score to an acceptable range, scoring nearly as high as I did before the injury and had my doctor contact the committee. Finally after four months I had a meeting with Sasha, the head coach of the mens team about my return to skiing. So, here is what you have all been waiting for, am I going to be able to ski this season, or not?? Sadly the meeting didn't go as well as I had hoped. At this point I will not be cleared to return to ski racing or training with the US team. I could try to explain why, but it mostly comes down to USSA not wanting to deal with the liability if I were to injure myself again. There is not very much information on what would happen if I were to sustain another serious head injury. One thing they know is that I would not recover from a second TBI as well as I did this time. Am I at a higher risk? Well, sort of... It's tough to understand, and for the most part at this point I'm unsure of what the outcome of a concussion or a more serious head injury would be. So as it stands I will not be making a return to racing this season.
However, I do have plans to stay involved in the sport. I was offered a number of coaching jobs for the winter and I have decided it will be a great way for me to use my knowledge of skiing to help others and give back to the sport that has been so great to me over the years. I will be working with the Park City Ski Team primarily, coaching J1's and PG's. I will also be working with the NDS group of athletes, traveling to two week camps over the winter. NDS stands for National Development System. It is a group of younger, talented skiers from around the country that are trying to make the national team. My first camp with NDS will be in November in Colorado. My younger brother will be at that camp so I'm looking forward to working with him and the other athletes.
So thats about it. If you guys have any questions please leave a comment and I promise to be more involved with the blog this winter. I will be training with the athletes I'm coaching in Park City a little so I should be able to get some video of my first day back in gates up here in a few months.
Cody
Since May I have been living out in Utah with hopes of getting back to training with the US team. I have been in the gym everyday focussing on one aspect of the challenge- strength training. Thats the easy part. As some of you know I lost most of my strength last summer while I was in the hospital, weighing only 137lbs. when I finally moved back home in September 09. It was a long, painful, and sometimes hopeless journey back, but after 15 months of rehab and training I am in the best shape of my life. I'm weighing 168lbs now, just a little bit heavier than I was before.
The other aspect of the challenge was getting clearance from USSA to return to sport. I will try to explain this as well as I can. USSA (like most professional sport teams) has a committee of doctors in place to review and approve, or deny a return to sport after an injury like mine. When I first met with USSA in May I was told to improve my impact score, and have my doctor (who has cleared me to return to competition) get in touch with the committee about my return. Over the next four months I did as we agreed and waited for a decision to be made. I improved my impact score to an acceptable range, scoring nearly as high as I did before the injury and had my doctor contact the committee. Finally after four months I had a meeting with Sasha, the head coach of the mens team about my return to skiing. So, here is what you have all been waiting for, am I going to be able to ski this season, or not?? Sadly the meeting didn't go as well as I had hoped. At this point I will not be cleared to return to ski racing or training with the US team. I could try to explain why, but it mostly comes down to USSA not wanting to deal with the liability if I were to injure myself again. There is not very much information on what would happen if I were to sustain another serious head injury. One thing they know is that I would not recover from a second TBI as well as I did this time. Am I at a higher risk? Well, sort of... It's tough to understand, and for the most part at this point I'm unsure of what the outcome of a concussion or a more serious head injury would be. So as it stands I will not be making a return to racing this season.
However, I do have plans to stay involved in the sport. I was offered a number of coaching jobs for the winter and I have decided it will be a great way for me to use my knowledge of skiing to help others and give back to the sport that has been so great to me over the years. I will be working with the Park City Ski Team primarily, coaching J1's and PG's. I will also be working with the NDS group of athletes, traveling to two week camps over the winter. NDS stands for National Development System. It is a group of younger, talented skiers from around the country that are trying to make the national team. My first camp with NDS will be in November in Colorado. My younger brother will be at that camp so I'm looking forward to working with him and the other athletes.
So thats about it. If you guys have any questions please leave a comment and I promise to be more involved with the blog this winter. I will be training with the athletes I'm coaching in Park City a little so I should be able to get some video of my first day back in gates up here in a few months.
Cody
how exciting about coaching! after all the hard work you've put in with your recovery, i know it has to be MAJORLY disappointing not to be able to race this season. but God, you're ALIVE and healthy again. you never gave up...how amazing
love you, renate
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YEAH! Cody, so happy to hear you are doing well and will be giving back to the YOUTH of today! Skiing is a terrific outlet for youth to feel the freedom of fresh air, friendship and flight!! Remind them to act responsibly and be sure to make them aware that RESPONSIBILITY is the most important "R". At 70, I have my season pass for OKEMO in hand and looking forward to another good season.
So, life goes on!! Skiing is such a great family sport and to ski with family and friends at my age is a major PLUS. My daughter, hubby & friends have bought a ski house in Chester, VT... so, we will be there allot! The MANCHESTER SKI CLUB has a house at OKEMO and we look forward to filling that with friends young and old.
You keep up the GREAT WORK and CONGRATULATIONS on your strong work and recovery ethic... MORE YOUTH of today need that!
Enjoy Park City and skiing this year.
A "Grandma" Ski Mom
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Cody,
It was so great to hear from you and to know that you are doing well. It is wonderful that you are skiing again and going to be working with younger skiiers to help them succeed. You have been a great inspiration to all of us; to keep working hard after such an awful accident and pushing yourself to be the best you can be. Take care - love to you and your family.
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Hi Cody:
Really appreciated and enjoyed reading your update. We haven't met - I hope one day we will - however I've been with you since the accident as your story touched me as a family member endured a head injury like yours.
It's so great to hear how well you are doing since the first days of the accident!! Wow! Bravo!
Glad to hear you are teaching and giving back to the sport. There is so much you have to teach. Best of everything, Cody! You're a hero! Vicky
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Thanks for the update Cody! I have been wondering about how you were doing. I think you will be a wonderful coach and you will still be out there on the mountains in an environment you love. Good luck with it all and enjoy!
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Hi Cody ... I'm so glad you posted the update!!! I just asked Draven this weekend what was going on with you!!! That is GREAT that you are back in the best shape ever and that you are in Park City. They are SO LUCKY to have you there!!! I know you must be really disappointed, but you are definitely a Miracle Boy, as we all know.... you have a lot to give the youth ... your life has taken a new turn for you and I wish you the very best...
Draven's Mom
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So lame you can't do the US ski team thing however maybe its a bigger better calling with coaching where you can really make and see a difference in peoples lives. That being said you should totally see about getting involved with helping disabled veterans and skiing. I mean you have a story to tell that can be really meaningful for a lot of veterans who are struggling with the same problems especially since TBI is such a common injury among them. I guess its something I really push because before my mom passed away when she was in the Hospital after multiple back surgeries and feeling down because she could hardly walk, I would tell her about my husbands uncle who is now skiing on his own even though he cant really move his right side after a TBI/stroke from a mountain biking accident. It was through the veterans program in Park City that he was able to do that. And I think to have a couch like you would be so inspiring... Ok enough of my rant on that. Seriously though You will make a huge difference in peoples lives with coaching. Use the skills you were blessed with to make a difference for better.
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Hey Cody, I was just wearing your T-Shirt a few days ago and thought of you and wondered how you were doing. I'm really glad that your back in Park City!! I can't tell you how much you have inspired so many of us with your success and determination!! Your one in a million and I'm wishing you every success in the world. I'll be following your blog and hope one day to see you in Park City!!
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I'm happy to see that you were named to the US Ski Team today! Seeing your name on the team prompted me to check up on you here. Being on the team is great, but I'm even happier to read of your return to health and strength, loving life, working hard, and contributing.
I do hope you're getting good advice from someone who knows all facets of your situation; possibly even legal advice about how you might mitigate the USST's cautious approach. If racing is what you truly want to do, you can try to find a way. If you're not sure in your own heart, then coaching may be your true calling. Good luck!
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:-]
YOU AREO N THE U.S. SKI TEAM'S ROSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS :-]
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YOU ARE ON THE U.S. SKI TEAM'S ROSTER! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS.
So proud of you, I had to post it twice. :-]
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