Dear friends,

Paige fractured her tibia plateau (knee joint) during a para-alpine downhill race in Kimberley, Canada. She has since moved from SLC back home to Steamboat Springs to recover. We would really appreciate help with medical bills, treatments and other healthcare expenses.

Paige was competing in a para-athlete downhill race when she caught an edge then violently rolled down the slope fracturing her left leg. Paige was able to get up with assistance from a U.S. para ski team coach and walk off the course to watch the remaining women ski down. The coach then assisted her in getting her skis back on to ski down. She was in tears by the time she reached the base of the ski area, and she could no longer walk without assistance. But Paige is strong, and everyone thought she just needed to ice it before returning the next day to race in super-g. Then her head coach viewed the video of her fall and informed her that she would not be racing the next day. Paige returned to Salt Lake City two days after her accident and was taken to the University of Utah Urgent Care where an X-ray confirmed that her leg was fractured.

I brought Paige back to Steamboat to visit with Steamboat Orthopaedics & Spine Institute where she got another couple of X-rays as well as a CT scan. Paige must remain non-weight-bearing for six weeks to prevent her femur from hammering down on the plateau. If it shifts more, than she will need to undergo surgery. Paige uses both crutches and a wheelchair for mobility. Paige began physical therapy this month (March) to prevent her knee from locking up and to rebuild strength in her leg. Paige injured her left leg, which for Paige, makes it all more difficult because her left leg is the stronger leg – it’s her right side that is affected by cerebral palsy.

We will post updates of Paige’s progress. In the meantime, we would be grateful for any contributions you can make to alleviate the medical bills, treatments and other healthcare expenses so we can focus on a full recovery for Paige.

Thank you,

The VanArsdale family