Not yet completely blind, skier Danelle Umstead depends on her husband for much more than marital harmony. Without Rob Umstead guiding her down the slopes, the bubbly mother of one would never have become the top-ranked visually impaired ski racer in the U.S. for each of the five events.
Her sight began deteriorating at the age of 13, and the teen spent years afterward feeling sorry for herself.
“I thought blind people couldn't do anything!” she says with a laugh.
But that changed in 2001 when her dad got her into adaptive skiing. It was love at first ski, and the only thing holding her back was the lack of a dependable guide.
Every blind skier, whether their visual impairment is complete or partial, relies on another athlete to ski just ahead and talk them down the hill. They work as a team, and the lead, sighted skier must be a little faster and a little better in order for the blind skier to test their limits.
Danelle had a hard time finding a partner who was both fast enough to keep up with her and available for constant training. Then one evening at an apres-ski gathering in Taos, New Mexico, all that changed. Rob Ulmstead was a professional ski coach, and the two began skiing together for fun. Soon, their relationship became more serious while they continued free-skiing together.
After the birth of their son, Brocton, they married and became a dedicated team. Rob is now on staff at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado, where the duo trains during the winter months. Summer finds them seeking out the snow in Mt. Hood, Oregon.
Although retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration have taken her peripheral vision, Danelle can follow Rob's bright orange vest down a course. They communicate with Bluetooth technology perfedt for a blind skier. Using a Cardo headset designed for motorcycle riders, Rob can relay information to his wife about terrain changes, snow conditions and where to turn.
While her guide dog, Bettylynn, spent some free time hunting for dropped food at a recent international ski event, Danelle chatted with her many friends between runs. When asked about what advice she would have for Disaboom readers, her wide smile got even bigger.
“You don't have to see it to ski it!”
Photo shows Danelle Umstead, left, with guide and husband Rob Umstead relaxing between runs at the Wells Fargo Ski Cup in Winter Park, Colo., on Feb. 21, 2010.
UPDATE: Danelle and Rob won bronze in the downhill event at the Vancouver Paralympics.
More: Disabled Skier w/ TBI, Disabled Skiing w/ Spina Bifida, Winter Paralympic Events, Amputee Skiing Devotee
