David Meisner brings a support person with him most everywhere he goes. And he goes a lot of places.
“He dirt-bikes, quads, hikes, curls and skiing has been a passion of his since he was very young,” said Janice Meisner, David’s sister.
Meisner lives with autism spectrum disorder and a developmental disability.
For years, the family has been negotiating with ski hill operators and coaches to ease the cost for support staff accompanying him on the hill.
They usually purchase seasons passes for Nakiska, receiving discounts or complimentary tickets for his support person to ski with Meisner.
But this year, his request was denied.
“From a financial standpoint it’s unrealistic for him to obtain a seasons pass for himself and then also cover his support staff — which he needs — he actually needs for his own safety,” said Janice.
Most ski hills partner with non-profit organizations to provide lessons and support staff for people with disabilities.
Rocky Mountain Adaptive and Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) are two organizations that provide these services.
“CADS itself offers discounts at different ski hills. So for support people we usually try to have someone contact us so that we can arrange for a volunteer to go out with that individual but that all depends on the number of volunteers we have and their availability,” said Janice Bushfield of CADS.
Meisner’s family, however, has always hired their own support staff to meet his specific needs.
The family posted their concerns on Facebook, which gained some attention online. On Monday, the family said Resorts of the Canadian Rockies approved complementary lift tickets for David’s support staff.
“With prices rising right now, it’s completely unrealistic for someone who is receiving government supports to live. He does have a part-time job but that doesn’t supplement the needs this would have. From a financial standpoint, it’s unrealistic for him to cover the season pass for himself but also for his support staff, who he needs,” Janice said.
“(Nikiska) is also reviewing their broader policy on cognitive disabilities and recognizing the supports their needs on the hill … This really speaks to the broader issue that a lot of people with disabilities face. That they have to plead their case and provide the reasons they need this support.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies said, “We try our best to work with the non-profit organizations to support all who would like to participate and we are now aware that some do not fit into the pre-set up programs.”
The company is asking anyone who needs accommodations outside of the RMA program to contact the staff.
While their family is celebrating the change in policy, Janice said there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
“People with disabilities have to focus on what’s wrong with them to get the things that (able-bodied people) get naturally … A lot of gains have been made a lot of awareness has been grown but we still have so far to go,” she said.
Other attractions, such as the Calgary Zoo and Calaway Park, are involved in a program that provides free tickets for support staff.