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Overcoming Inertia and Cancer

8/31/2010 11:59:00 PM by Meadows Team in Connection, Guest Stories, Overcoming Inertia | 22 comments

If this isn't overcoming inertia we don't know what is. Dan - a loyal pass holder - sent this inspirational message upon purchasing his season pass.

This will be my 6th year at Meadows. I want to let you know how much I appreciate everything you and the staff do for us downhillers. As a cancer survivor (3 years now), I can't even begin to tell you how important your resort was in my healing. One of these days I will recount for you how I skied through chemotherapy by strapping the pump to my leg and running the tubing to the port in my chest under my clothes. My two closest friends skied with me each time. You can ask Danno from the Mazot about that season. It is way more than a mountain, and Meadows is way more than a ski resort to many of us.

Dan - cancer survivor and Loyal Meadows Pass Holder!

Overcome inertia - or whatever is preventing you from getting up and moving!

 

22 Comments

  1. Kevin

    September 9, 2010

    Way to go Dan! You're my hero!

  2. Kevin

    September 9, 2010

    Hell yeah Dan! Everyone look for Dan's red "Surrender the Booty" flag in his Subaru in the lot this season, always up front.

  3. Kevin

    September 9, 2010

    Yeah Dan.

    Everyone remember to look for Dan's subaru with the red Surrender the Booty flag in the main lot this season near the front! A true mountain ambassador!

    Meadows: Apparently Dan has a fan base - well deserved! We'd love to hear your story of "Overcoming Inertia" - any obstacle which would have made it easier for you not to do something, than to go out and do it.

  4. Shannon Wipf

    September 10, 2010

    That's right, if you are a regular you know the flag. OWWWW Danimal!!!

    Meadows: We've all seen the pirate flag in the parking lot. Now we know who the pirate is!

  5. LeiLani

    September 12, 2010

    We love our Dan and we love Meadows! Go DAN!!! Can't wait for another season on the slopes ;)

    Meadows: Bring it on!

  6. Nate

    September 20, 2010

    Dan is the man!! Most rippers in Portland don't ride as many days as Dan, even though Dan was going through Chemo. We didn't ride Meadows last year, but I know my riding buds Matty, Adler, and the Dickey are excited to get back to Meadows and ride with Dan and the ladies!

    Meadows: It will be a grand reunion! See you on the slopes!

  7. Humaira Falkenberg

    September 21, 2010

    Very inspiring, Dan. I'll look for the flag.

    Meadows: We think a lot of people will be looking for the flag to meet this great person.

  8. Paul

    September 23, 2010

    Oh sure, Dan's car is easy to spot in the parking lot but if you want to find Dan on the mountain, just head to the Mazot around 11 am. He's usually makes a pit stop to "lubricate" his joints with an adult BEvERage. I've been skiing with Dan for years... we're also colleagues so I can honestly say he's one of my favorite people to work AND play with! Since his bout with cancer, Dan definitely loves life that much more and appreciates how blessed we are to have an incredible playground like Meadows in a gorgeous state like Oregon. Pray for snow people (La Nina!) and if you see Dan at the Mazot, buy him a beer! :)

    Meadows: A toast to a great season with lots of snow and great fellowship.

  9. BRAD

    October 2, 2010

    I greet Dan in the mornings as he arrives at meadows and he always has a big smile on his face and a great attitude about the day!
    see ya on opening day Dan!

    Meadows: Can't wait!

  10. Stacy

    October 6, 2010

    Dan has been an inspiration to all of us. He is an awesome skier and has shared his skills with us. I think the easiest way to spot Dan is not by his flag, but by the posse of hot chicks that surrond him at the Mazot and slope side. Here's to many more ski season's together exploring Meadows!

    Meadows: A great tribute! Let it snow!

  11. Cowboy John

    October 17, 2010

    Dan's definately the MAN! I've said it before and I'll say it again,It's ALL about Good Company! Glad Dan's such good company to way more folks than just me!

  12. Rip

    October 23, 2010

    Yeah! Just do it! An inspiration to us all.

  13. Juan H.

    October 25, 2010

    Dan you are a celeb and true inspiration. I miss riding with you guys. I'll be up there this year working in the clinic and riding. I'm praying for an Oct. Opening! Is that even possible???

  14. Pamela LaRue

    October 27, 2010

    Thanks for sharing your story...amazing!!!

  15. Pam

    November 9, 2010

    Hey Dan-Are you from the Hood River area or P town-I'm lookin to rideshare from P-dale almost everyday to help overcome my own inertia? I help with gas.

  16. Paul Darmer

    November 9, 2010

    Dan you are a great inspiration for me. Having being diognosed with cancer in June. I was'nt sure if I could wear my FU pack snowboarding, well I don't think that will stop me now.....

  17. Constance Criooker

    November 11, 2010

    Hey, Dan. I'm with you. I surprised the radiologists by insisting they hurry up my early morning radiation treatments so I could get up to the mountain and on the slopes. That was two years ago! I have stage four melanoma, which meant I was on a first name basis with the grim reaper. I learned that whatever boosts our immune systems can kick cancer's butt, and the joy of skiing is high on my list of medicines. (My doctor drugs were interleukin-2 plus radiation to my inoperable tumor, which keeps shrinking on every scan, two years after my last treatment.)
    The Melanoma Mama

    Meadows: What an inspiring story!

  18. Nancy

    November 13, 2010

    Love the inspirational stories!! Mine isn't nearly as dramatic as you folks, but it was just as powerful in getting me back on the slopes. I skied as a kid and teen, but hadn't been on the slopes in 31 years. Last February I discovered I had basil cell cancer and had it removed from my face. It made me stop and take a look at my life. I realized I hadn't been doing anything I love for a long time, so in March I decided to drive up to Meadows, rent some equipment, and try downhill again after decades.

    I loved the skiing and your resort so much, I bought some equipment and skied half a dozen times before you closed. This year, I've invested in a season pass and snow tires!! I'm looking forward to enjoying your wonderul resort as many days as I possibly can!! Here's to truly being ALIVE in our lives and here's to Mt Hood Meadows for offering such a great place to do what we love!!! Thank you! Thank you!!

    Meadows: Thank you for sharing your story - we hope it inspires others to pursue their passion, get active and renew themselves!

  19. Ron Wolf

    November 14, 2010

    This comment is reported by Dan's surgeon: About 3 weeks after having one of his major surgeries (a bit too early to start skiing), Dan asks if it is OK if he can start skiing again and when he can start. I don't remember what I said, but he listened and said "Good, because I have already been going for the last week and a half!" Dan is always an inspiration and friend to me.

  20. Stevo

    November 16, 2010

    Powder on Dan! Looks like another great year forthcoming. Great story with more memories to come this year. Heard we may have to look for the flag on an RV this year... See you at the Mazot...

  21. Carter

    November 18, 2010

    I had the great pleasure to meet and ride with Dan last season. Season pass is armed and ready, and we'll see you up there again this year Dan!

  22. Tim

    November 18, 2010

    Yo Dan! We'll be looking forward to 'recharging' at the Mazot and hitting the steep-n-deeps with you again this year!

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