It was a frigid welcome from Denver Colorado as we all flew in from various locations to attend Extreme Mobility’s Winter Camp 2015. For some of us, it was like coming to our favorite old vacation spot where we could reunite with family. Others had a new experience each step they took. Whether it was their first time or they had been coming for years, each person went home empowered. This week was filled with a number of opportunities where individuals were challenged to try new things, or push themselves to the next level. The activities of the week were downhill skiing, driving snowmobiles, rock-climbing, cross-country skiing, gymnastics, and flying down a steep and icy hill on small inflatable inner tubes. “I tried downhill skiing for the first time, I was scared and didn’t think I would like it, but it was so much fun and I did way better than I thought I would.” said a blind athlete from California. Athletes who had made it to the top of a rock wall last year challenged themselves to climb a more difficult route this year. With a couple of attempts they made it to the top successfully. First-time and returning trainers pushed themselves and tried new things as well. One new trainer led a group of six blind athletes as they went cross-country skiing for the first time. Things were going well until he accidentally led the group down a wrong trail that took them on a six mile “scenic route”. A first time athlete noted his knees were so sore after completing a full day of skiing. “But, it was so worth it because of the breath taking scenery, and I mastered something new.” Throughout the entire week, I heard returning athletes telling newer ones things like, “I know you can do it. I was scared when I tried it for the first time too. You will fall in the snow but it doesn’t hurt, it’s like falling on a blanket.” The end of the week was very hard, however the end result made it a little more bearable. What is the end result? We all left a little different than we arrived. Each of us received encouragement. We heard that we could actually do things instead of people saying that it’s not possible. We have heard that it’s okay to fall, but it’s not a failure if we get up and try again. We also have the opportunity to cheer someone else on, and then we feel empowered because we have made a difference in someone’s world. At the end of the week, eight of the athletes gave their lives to Christ and many others continued to grow in their walk with Him. Extreme Mobility Winter Camp gave many of us blind extreme opportunities to do things that we’ve never dreamed possible. More importantly, it taught us the significance of walking by our faith, and not by our sight. Thank you to all who have supported XMO and made these opportunities possible. You are changing the lives of those involved with these camps so many ways. Thank you.