Russ,
Another fantastic day.
Remarkable progress from yesterday. Much faster, great turns, no falls.
I’ve been teaching skiing for years, I haven’t seen anyone improve so quickly. Yesterday you were moving at the same speed or slower than the average skier. Today you overtook nearly everyone and it was as much as I could do to keep up or get ahead to video you.
At this rate there is no doubt you’ll be skiing independently. Once you regain the strength and control in your right side, you’ll be lifting yourself onto the chairlifts and setting the pace, as you used too!
So proud of you Russ, it really is a humbling experience to see how quickly you are adapting to your new circumstances. The instructor team today were so impressed, you could see they were having as much fun as you and I.
Well done bro, this whole trip couldn’t have gone any better.
Love,
Alwyn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXpbdX4UOOU

First off…. Merry Christmas you lovely being.  Secondly, I’ve just seen your ski video. You look amazing, I cannot believe that 6.5 months from where we were in toulon that you are already surpassing your docs expectations (not ours, we knew you would be doing wonderful things) and are fucking skiing! And better than me! You are officially my hero. We are all very teary here, unbelievably proud of your strength and determination.  Enjoy the snow and the vin chaud. Can’t wait to see you in the NY and hear all about it. Love you tonnes. S x

Russ,
Today was fantastic! As usual, you exceeded everyone’s expectations (including your own).
To see your transformation from wheelchair to sit-ski was something of a miracle. It’s the first time since your accident I have seen signs of “the old Russ” emerge. You were literally grinning from cheek to cheek (as was I) as you rapidly and confidently made your way down the slope; what a blast!
Skiing has been such a huge part of our family’s life, it’s wonderful to see it will continue for all of us. Riding up the chair lift with you today, at times I actually forgot about the calamity you’ve suffered and instead, all I could think about was how great it was to be on the mountain with my brother.
You said in the car on the way back, today was the first time you felt any level of independence and a sense of real happiness since the accident. It’s wonderful to hear you talk positively about the future and for the first time, things you can do versus no longer do.
I know your medical team back at SM advised you it was at least 6 months too early for you to go skiing; well guess what, you are 6 months ahead of everyone else!
You can and will ski with Lily and Amber again, as well as all your mates, just you wait and see.
Thanks for making this the best family Christmas ever, I can’t wait to ski with you again tomorrow.
Love,
Alwyn.