Story and photos submitted by
CHRISTY NUTTER
Public Relations
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

(DALLAS, March 11, 2010) — William “Skeeter” Phillips, a 15-year-old patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) in Dallas and a Forney, Texas, resident recently attended the hospital’s 29th Annual Amputee Ski Trip in Winter Park, Colo. The week-long trip began with a send-off party at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, hosted by American Airlines and the Admirals Club.

In a continuing effort to improve the lives of patients, TSRHC recognized that snow skiing is well suited for amputees, and with special equipment they quickly become competitive and often excel at the sport. For the last 29 years, the hospital has taken 14 teenagers to Winter Park to learn to ski.

“I am certain that although these kids have faced challenges beyond their years, each of them has returned changed in some positive way by this experience,” said Don Cummings, TSRHC director of prosthetics. “I can make a leg and get them up and walking again, but I can’t heal the spirit. The ski trip lets them heal in a way that we couldn’t duplicate.”

Skiing at the renowned National Sports Center for the Disabled creates a focus for the trip, but the personal growth and challenges the teens overcome are often more life changing than the actual accomplishment of skiing. The goal of the trip is to foster a sense of self-confidence, discovery and independence for these special children.

Thanks to generous friends of TSRHC, the trip was available at no charge to patient families. American Airlines and their partners provided transportation for the patients, medical staff and chaperones for this extraordinary experience.

William “Skeeter” Phillips has been a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) since 2001. His left foot was amputated at age 6, and he has been fitted with several different prostheses since his initial visit to TSRHC. A sophomore at Forney High School, he is section leader for the tubas in the Forney High School band. Skeeter has attended the Amputee Coalition of America Camp and also spends time offering advice to fellow TSRHC patients after a surgery or important visit to the hospital. Skeeter has embraced the hospital as a place where he can become involved and lead an active lifestyle. This was Skeeter’s third time to participate in the TSRHC Amputee Ski Trip. According to his mother, “Each year that Skeeter attends the ski trip, he returns with a rejuvenated, inspired attitude from meeting and spending time with others who have similar conditions. He is so thankful for the experiences and friendships that the ski trip has given him.” Skeeter’s passion for flying has led him to pursue training for a pilot’s license to fly Lear jets.