Dear Reader,At VTDigger, we are committed to telling the stories that matter — including stories of resilience, determination and strength in our communities.This spring, we’re partnering with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports to expand access to outdoor recreation — while supporting local, inde pendent journalism that keeps Vermont informed.For the last two weeks of our Spring Drive, every donation VTDigger receives will also send $5 to Vermont Adaptive’s scholarship fund, ensuring more people can access life-changing outdoor recreation.Today your donation does double duty. Will you join us?Join the Spring DriveBonus: Become a $15 monthly sustaining member and get a free VTDigger hat!Breaking down barriers with Vermont AdaptiveVTDigger is partnering with Vermont Adaptive because we believe in independence and access to the outdoors, regardless of ability to pay.For many, getting outside is an easy, everyday experience. But for individuals with disabilities, there can be insurmountable barriers without access to the right resources. For more than 37 years, Vermont Adaptive has helped thousands of participants explore what’s possible.The nonprofit organization provides specialized equipment, instruction and support that fosters adventure, mental health and self-confidence. In 2024 alone, the organization provided more than 5,300 outings in 2024 to children and adults with disabilities and nearly 1,500 outings for veterans.Van Wart with Vermont Adaptive volunteers at the VI/Blind Athletes Winter Festival at Pico Mountain. Photo courtesy of Vermont Adaptive/Sevenpair Studios.Van Wart understands that impact firsthand.After losing his vision in his late 20s, he assumed his days on the slopes were over. But this February, more than 15 years after his last ride, Vermont Adaptive helped him get back on a snowboard at the VI/Blind Athletes Winter Festival at Pico Mountain.With the support of skilled volunteer guides, Van quickly found his rhythm. “The feeling I had more than anything else was just a smile glued onto my face,” he said. “It was exhilarating. It was a sense of life.”By the end of the weekend, he was riding independently.“I left that weekend thinking, ‘I can do this again.’ What Vermont Adaptive does is just incredible… from the moment you walk in, the attention to detail, the equipment ready and waiting, the way they support every participant — they go the extra step. You showed me what I could do.”For Van, getting back on a board wasn’t just about rekindling an old hobby. It was about remembering what he was capable of.Why your support mattersBeing independent doesn’t have to mean going solo.Vermont Adaptive helps people of all abilities gain independence through the support of a passionate community — just as VTDigger delivers rigorous, independent journalism made possible by its readers.When you give today, you strengthen both local journalism and outdoor access for all. Will you join us?Give the gift of independenceStories like Van’s are the reason VTDigger exists — to connect, inspire and inform us all. And reader support is the reason VTDigger can maintain its independence.Thank you for reading and being a part of what makes Vermont a special place. And thank you for considering a donation during our Spring Member Drive.Sincerely,Libbie SparadeoDirector of Membership and EngagementP.S. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is looking for passionate and caring volunteers with a love of the outdoors. If you’re interested, visit their website to learn more.Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger partners with Vermont Adaptive for Spring Member Drive. ...read more read less