Ashantai Yungai: Student and Volunteer

I became aware of Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) in the summer of 2018. Driving south on 7th East past Liberty Park, I saw the “RED TRUCK” with the WAS emblem on it. I also saw people cycling with the group! This piqued my curiosity, as I am an avid cyclist!

I drove up, parked, then introduced myself. I inquired what WAS was in general. Laura Benson, my first person of contact, explained to me that it is an organization that assists people with disabilities to actively and cheerfully participate in recreational activities.  In doing so, it helps to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities, participating in activities that may not otherwise be accessible.

This was good to know. I opened up to Laura that I have a disability: MS- Multiple Sclerosis. Yet, I still considered myself an athlete! I played sports all my life. Unfortunately, MS limited my scope of activities; cycling and rock-climbing are my things. They are the activities I can do independently, and safely.

She mentioned to me the other activities they do: yoga, fishing, and cycling for starters. I inquired if they did snowboarding. She replied: “Yes, we do that and other winter sports. Right now we are doing summer sports.” I excitedly asked: “Do you do paddle boarding?!?”. “Yes we do,” she replied. Paddleboarding is an activity I have always wanted to do. It requires balance and strength. I have the strength, but MS mitigates my balance. Laura’s “Yes we do!” breathed new life into a hope I thought was gone!

I have since gone paddle boarding with WAS three times, each experience improving upon the previous. In all the sessions, the “experts” were cheerful and helpful, encouraging with each and every student. They went above and beyond to assure that each and every student felt safe and comfortable with our activity, as well as having fun. They always smiled, putting us at ease.

I’ve also participated in yoga. The yoga instructors were equally charming. All the movements were relaxing and refreshing.  Their awareness of the students’ various disabilities and needs was of primary importance. They helped us through moves that de-stressed our body and minds.

I felt compelled to give back, and volunteer in any capacity that I could. I asked Eileen, and Abbie, if there was a non-physical way I could volunteer. To my delight, there was. In addition to manning booths at certain functions (for example, the ceremony to honor veterans during Christmas at Snowbird). Laura asked me to volunteer to help address letters to donors for their end-of-year fundraiser. I jumped at the chance! To know me is to know that I love writing; I have fastidious and incomparable penmanship! I gladly did this. It was the least I could do to volunteer for the WAS organization and family, who has done so much for all of the students who have participated in their programs. In my volunteering, I want to be: relevant, impactful, and meaningful. This is a simple way, but it helps.

I don’t have any personal specific goals I want to accomplish with WAS. I simply want to continue to participate in the activities they sponsor. As I wrote in a thank-you note I sent to the staff early in the summer of 2018:

“Through WAS, I learned that I can still DO stuff!  Yes, I have to modify and/or attenuate, but I can still do it.  I can’t wait til next time!” 

I want to pay it forward: spreading the hope, happiness, and good cheer they have given to me to all the other students who I interact and participate in activities with. Disability and all, I want us to thrive. In the end:

“We cannot change the past. We cannot change the inevitable. … The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and THAT is our Attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I respond to it. And so, with you, we are in charge of our attitude.” Charles Swindle

-Ashantai