A 76-year-old man from Kingscote has recently shared the exhilarating account of his skiing adventure. While most stories of skiers are thrilling and filled with adrenaline, this particular tale takes on a unique twist. The senior skier stunned everyone by racing down the slopes with confidence, despite not being able to see anything.

Pete Ellson began losing his eyesight at the age of 45. Now more than 20 years later, Ellson “can’t tell night from day”. This put a limit on many activities he used to enjoy, including skiing. However, with the help of a specialized skiing instructor, the 76-year-old man was able to experience the thrill of skiing once again.

Inspiring skiing adventure of a 76-Year-Old blind man

Pete Ellson traveled from Kangaroo Island to Falls Creek earlier this week to seize a rare opportunity. The Disabled Wintersport Australia, a non-profit organization, had hired special trainers and volunteers to teach physically challenged individuals such as Ellson to ski. Ellson gave an exclusive to ABC News saying, “You don’t know what’s in front of you and you’re busy trying to initiate turns, and my feet weren’t doing what my brain was telling them to do”. The iconic senior said that this was his first time back on the slopes since 21 years ago when he had some vision. He explained, “I basically had to go right back to beginners’ square one with my skiing”. 

The guides had given Ellson instructions on boarding the chairlift safely and the proper technique for skiing downhill. As a blind man, he was only aware of the speed at which he was going downhill and could not make the turn. Pete Ellson’s son, Rob, had expected them to wade through the snow in skiing gear and call it a day. Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine his father to be actually skiing down the hill. Mr. Ellson’s sons, Rob and Scott, had also tried blind skiing to understand what their father had gone through. They were amazed that their father had not allowed his old age and vision impairment to stop him from enjoying the activities he liked.

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The remarkable journey of an adventurer

Rob Ellson revealed that his father has always loved going on adventures. As a young man, he had taught himself to hang glide and fly through the skies to the amazement of everyone. So his sons were not surprised when Mr. Ellson expressed his wish to learn how to ski. He loved the boost of adrenaline after so many years in his life. Now he is determined to branch out into other thrilling activities as well.

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The 76-year-old adventurer said that the next thing on his agenda is to learn how to fly a helicopter. He had not forgotten about his blindness and added that he would have an instructor present. He has inspired so many others with his fearlessness and determination to live life to the fullest, despite all difficulties.

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