The Impact of freedom
At 18, Emma McDonald is like any other teenager—she loves hanging out with friends, shopping, and working with kids at Bayview Elementary School’s Kids Zone. But she also navigates life with spina bifida, a condition that makes walking difficult and exhausting. While she has always been determined to do as much as possible, recreational activities have often been a challenge.
Emma was just five years old when a member of the executive team at what was then Courage Kenny—now Northland Adaptive Recreation (NAR)—noticed her braces and the way she was walking with her mom at the mall. He approached her mother, Jen, with kindness and curiosity, asking if Emma had ever considered adaptive skiing or snowboarding. That conversation set Emma on a path that would redefine her confidence and sense of independence.
“I can’t control my legs and ankles, so skiing was tough,” Emma recalls. “I switched to snowboarding, and I absolutely love it.” She also tried adaptive water skiing, sitting in a specialized chair and leaning to steer across the water. Each new experience built her confidence and expanded her belief in what was possible.
One of Emma’s biggest obstacles wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. “I was really insecure about the braces I needed to wear to walk. I didn’t want to stand out or be seen as different,” she admits. “For many summers, I refused to wear dresses or shorts. I wore leggings. I didn’t want people to see my braces.”
Her NAR volunteer snowboarding partner, Brent, played a huge role in her confidence journey. “We zoom down the hills and he always tells me I can do it, even when I doubt myself.” Snowboarding gave Emma something she hadn’t experienced before—a sport where she felt fully included and capable. “On the slopes, I can go fast—it’s like running,” says Emma. “I don’t have to think about anything else; I just have fun.”
Beyond the sport itself, NAR has provided Emma with a sense of belonging. “It’s given me the chance to connect with people who have similar experiences. We see the world in the same way, and that’s really special.” Even her physical therapist, who volunteers with NAR, has been able to bridge the gap between therapy and real-world adventure.
For Emma’s mom, Jen, watching her daughter grow in confidence has been invaluable. But her journey as a mother didn’t just stop with Emma—it inspired her to make a difference in the lives of others. Raising Emma meant navigating a world that wasn’t always accessible. Jen and her two older sons spent countless hours at area parks, only to find that pea gravel, wood chips, and ramps that led nowhere made it nearly impossible for Emma to get around. “The frustration was real,” Jen recalls. “It felt like she was left out of something as simple as playing.”
Determined to change that, Jen built a playground in the Proctor area designed for kids of all abilities. “I wanted to honor Emma and give her the playground she never had,” she says. “Every kid can get to the top tower, and there’s even a swing for kids in wheelchairs. It’s really something.”
For Emma, building confidence isn’t just about adapting—it’s about pushing beyond expectations. She feels good when the kids she works with ask her questions about her braces. And she dreams of trying other adaptive sports—maybe horseback riding or archery. But no matter what’s next, snowboarding will always hold a special place in her heart. If she had to sum it up in one word it would be “free,” she says. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”
By focusing on what individuals can do rather than what they cannot, Northland Adaptive Recreation (NAR) promotes empowerment and positive self-esteem. It encourages an environment where people are given opportunities to thrive based on their capabilities. Learn more about NAR at mdfoundation.org/support-areas/northland-adaptive-recreation.
