Colby's Paralympic Dream

Hi, My name is Colby Fields. I'm a 16-year-old snowboarder from Summit County, Colorado. I hope to qualify for the Beijing 2022 U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding team competing in banked slalom and boardercross. I am no stranger to snowboarding competitions and I have competed in big mountain competitions for the last 5 years. This past season (20/21) I placed first in the Rocky Mountain Freeride Series Championships in Colorado, for big mountains.

When I was a week old I had a stroke that left me with left side hemiplegia Cerebral palsy. This affects my entire left side, but the fine motor skills on my left hand have been affected most. I do not have very much strength and I cannot tell how much pressure I'm putting when I use my left hand. I've had multiple surgeries to get more function of my left hand. My left foot is affected too, it has a little bit of a drop that makes my walking pattern uneven. I started skiing when I was three. At four my Occupational therapist suggested that I switch to snowboarding. I have been snowboarding ever since. My parents got a scholarship for me to start snowboarding with Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC). My mom would take me out of school every week or two for lessons at BOEC. My passion for this sport has made me who I am today.

This fundraiser will help Pay for my travel and expenses this season. My first trip will be to the Netherlands for training to be classified as a para-athlete in late November to early December. I would greatly appreciate your support.