“It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life,” said Nieman

Patrick Nieman, husband to Nikki Nieman, (who resides in both Grygla, MN, and Superior, WI) did volunteer work with The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute last winter. Courage Kenny is an amazing program that works with individuals who have disabilities, youth on the autism spectrum, and those recovering from serious injuries such as strokes, brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. The program provides physical rehabilitation therapy and a variety of independent living services, including testing services for senior drivers. 

The Institute serves clients of all ages with a wide range of diagnoses. Its care team provides physicians, therapy, community, and mental health services in more than 40 locations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, including the Duluth area, which is where Patrick currently resides and volunteered his time. Courage Kenny Northland offers recreational, sports and outdoor adventure programs that encourage active and healthy lifestyles. With the help of over 400 volunteers each year, CKN’s adaptive programs include alpine ski & snowboard, archery, kayaking, sailing, cycling, swimming, yoga and more! An avid skier himself, Patrick helped with a weekly alpine skiing event that was held at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. He also volunteered with a mono-ski camp that was held in February. 

Courage Kenny Ski and Snowboard is one of the largest volunteer adaptive ski and snowboard programs in the country. The rehab institute gives more than 1,200 lessons each year at six locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin! 

Patrick has been a lifelong Duluth resident, until a couple of years ago when he and Nikki purchased a home across the bridge in Superior. With decades of skiing experience under his belt, including giant slalom racing events and adult/team ski leagues he is a part of, Patrick first gained interest in volunteering with Courage Kenny by seeing the volunteers helping skiers at Spirit Mountain. He said, “I’ve always wanted to volunteer. Last fall, I heard ads on the local sports radio station I listen to, looking for volunteers. So when I was downtown one day, I walked into their office and signed up.”

The 2019-20 ski season was his first time volunteering, but it won’t be his last. Patrick said this is one of the best things he’s ever done in his life. “I’ll be volunteering every year from now on,” he noted.

To become a volunteer, Patrick attended a night of orientation, along with a full weekend of training. After that, he volunteered his time every Sunday for six weeks. He worked with a 6-year old boy who had limited use of his upper and lower extremities, in which case a bi-ski was used, which is a seat that sits on two skis. Patrick said he progressed unbelievably throughout the regular season.

The Monoski Camp was held for three days in February. “It was an amazing experience,” Patrick reflected. The event brought skiers and instructors from all over with all different abilities, including instructors from Colorado and Montana, and a Paralympian who raced monoski in two Paralympics in Salt Lake City and Russia. During this camp, he worked with a young man in his 20’s who had been paralyzed from a car accident, along with a 6th grade girl and one of the mono-ski racers.

“It was just such an inspiring event. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell Nikki about everything that had happened,” Patrick said. “I came home every day with a big smile on my face.”

In addition to volunteering his time with the Courage Kenny ski events, Patrick would also like to help with some of the kayaking events during these warmer months, but that will depend on his work schedule.

To learn more about Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, you can visit the allinahealth.org website, or find them on Facebook, which is kept updated regularly.