Maine Handicapped Skiing makes dreams come true
Column by Heather Burke March 23, 2008

When Tim Giggey had both legs amputated below the knee, skiing was probably the last thing on his mind. Simply surviving the horrendous infection that almost took his life, and his limbs, was foremost for Tim and his wife Maryanne, of Yarmouth, in 1995. Tim spent weeks in an induced coma to stave of the infection - during which he suffered a stroke; doctors gave Maryanne a 1% chance for his survival. Despite this grim report and the gangrene that had set in Tim’s extremities, Maryanne kept hope and insisted that Tim’s legs and arms not be fully amputated when doctors proposed this radical procedure. “I couldn’t have him waking up like a trunk,” said Maryanne Giggey.

Tim did not speak for a year and a half, his recovery was long and included re-learning to walk on prosthetic feet after his bilateral amputation below the knees. “It’s a miracle I’m still here,” said Tim.

Seeing Tim ski is another miracle. “I started skiing at age four, I grew up skiing on May Mountain (a ski hill in Island Falls that closed mid 1990) in the shadows of Katahdin. I went on to race in college at University of Maine at Farmington,” said Tim.

“About four years ago (after the amputation), I started dreaming vividly of skiing again, I’d wake up and realize it was just a dream,” said Tim.

Tim Giggey took a leap of faith and contacted Maine Handicapped Skiing at Sunday River, and after being fitted for special prosthetic “ski feet” that fit into a traditional ski binding, he was ready to try the sport that he had always loved so much, and thought was gone forever.

Peter Salsbury of Saco was Tim’s first coach for his return to the slopes this January. “It took great courage for Tim to remember his past and face the unknown of his future. He had not skied for 14 years, he was willing to face his fear and take a chance at success or failure, adjusting to brand new artificial legs,” said Salsbury, who’s volunteered at MHS for four years.

Despite Tim’s past collegiate ski racing experience, his first day out consisted of just one run, which took almost two hours on the easiest slope. Tim said, “Not being able to ski for 14 years, I missed the whole shaped ski revolution, so I had to re-learn to ski on this new style of equipment while getting used to my new feet and getting back into physical shape.”

Salsbury said, “Due to Tim’s drive and positive attitude, the support of his wife Maryanne, and all the help at MHS, he has made remarkable progress.”

I had the privilege of skiing with Tim on his tenth day at Sunday River in late February. I was absolutely amazed at how well he is able to ski, a big man balanced on slender but sophisticated titanium rods. Tim skis completely independently making several runs a day. In fact his coaches now work to keep up with him. I followed Tim down the aptly chosen “Dream Maker.” Tim stops to the side of the trail occasionally, to take a rest and admire the scenery that he missed during those long months of hospitalization and rehab.

To say that Tim is a head-turner is an understatement – little tykes on skis see his unusual prosthetics pass by and they extend their gaze up six feet to his smiling face.

Maryanne added, “Tim has always been shy, he’s a very quiet main, but since he started skiing at MHS he’s opened up, he’s been so expressive.”

One of Tim’s coaches, Paul Strasenburgh of Westbrook said, “After a day volunteering at MHS, seeing someone like Tim accomplish so much and be able to experience the freedom of skiing, it feels so good to be a part of that.”

Tim said, “The people at Maine Handicapped are the nicest people I have ever met. They have changed my life, and opened up all new opportunities for me. Skiing has made me stronger, my balance has improved in just these weeks that I have returned to skiing, I am now better on stairs. I feel healthier, and I realize how much I had missed skiing.”

Tim said, “Skiing has given me the final piece of my life back.”

If Tim’s story of courage and recovery warmed your winter heart, like it did mine, you should know that Maine Handicapped Skiing has been making dreams like his come true for 26-years now. The non-profit organization started by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Omar (Chip) Crothers and Leslie B. Otten in 1982 has grown to 390 volunteers who provide 3,700 lessons each year to more than 300 students with various physical challenges, always free of charge.

65% of MHS’s annual budget is raised at their one day Ski-A-Thon to be held Saturday, March 29. To participate, form a team of five, and raise $600 or more in pledges. Teams are rewarded that day with breakfast, lunch, an après ski dinner party, goodie bag and free skiing courtesy of Sunday River. To register a team, volunteer your time, or make a donation go to Maine Handicapped Skiing. 

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