At a young age, my father and mother taught me the foundation of skiing. From there, I continued to advance my ski skills with the help of local coaches, my high school ski race team, and the Mt Bachelor Ski Education Foundation. Back in 2003 I was given the amazing opportunity to represent the United States as one of the five Deaflympic athletes for Alpine Skiing in Sweden. Everywhere you looked on the slopes, people were signing, and I understood what everyone was saying. It was my first experience and an memorable one. I may have not placed then as a rookie but it sparked a fire in me, to stand on the podium.

Since then, I have participated in the Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City during 2007, the first Deaf World Ski Championships in Germany during 2013 while recuperating from a broken ankle, and volunteer at a local Snow Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing hoping to generate hope in today's youth that they too can be successful athletes and more. Today I once again, have the opportunity to represent the USA, only this time, as an experienced Deaflympic athlete at the Winter Deaflympics in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia 2015. This time, it will be my last event representing the USA, thus my strong resolve to come back home with a medal.

The Winter Deaflympics are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee. The Games are built on over 85 years of tradition and the need for separate games for deaf athletes is not just evident in the number of participants but also because of our communication needs on the field. Unlike hearing Olympians or Paralympians, elite deaf and hard of hearing athletes do not receive financial support from the United States Olympic Committee and must fundraise their way to the Deaflympics.

This is my greatest challenge. I need to fundraise $3,700 to cover all costs, including international airfare, room and board, training expenses, fees, food and apparel. That's not including the $2,500 that covers my equipment and training for the Deaflympics. Your donation of any amount would be a great help.  I must fundraise a minimum of $1,850 by November 15, 2014.  I know winter may not be here yet, but the dream is, will you be a part of it?

Thank you for helping me secure my dream,

Nicolas Yopp

Links for more information about the Deaflympics:

http://ugra2015.com/

http://2015deaflympics.org/en/

https://www.facebook.com/deaflympics2015/timeline