An Imprinted Smile

After moving to Salt Lake City a couple of years ago, Debbie was driving along the road when she saw a fleet of red and green canoes with “SPLORE” plastered on each side of the canoes. As an avid canoe paddler, Debbie was immediately intriguted to where the canoes were going and began her quest to learn more about SPLORE.

Debbie was thrilled when she discovered that SPLORE was an outdoor agency for people with disabilities and special needs. Having an older sister with a disability, Debbie appreciates the experiences SPLORE provides for people who may otherwise never have the opportunity to take part in. She considers herself very fortunate to be able to volunteer and help others enjoy life through SPLORE’s recreational activities.

Debbie met Craig on a rafting trip back in June of 2006 with a group of individuals with TBI’s (traumatic brain injury). During the trip down the river, everyone was engaging in water fights, jumping in the water, hooting and hollering except for Craig. Debbie noticed Craig’s facial expressions were indifferent, he had a quiet nature about him and showed little interest in joining in the river experience. After sitting in the sun for so long without getting wet, Craig expressed that he felt very hot. Chris, his river raft guide, suggested that he get in the water to cool down. Craig did not appeal to the idea of getting wet in the river and was adamant about NOT going in the river for a dip.

After moving to the shore line and with some gentle encouragement Craig started to open up. In a few moments, Craig was lying down in the river fully, immersed by the cool soothing touch of the water as the sun shined warmly upon him. At that point Debbie saw a change take place, Craig’s face had brighten up a great deal and he had a huge smile on his face from ear to ear. It was quite the smile, for it has been imprinted in Debbie’s mind ever since.

For the next hour or so Debbie sat on the raft next to Craig who happily lingered about in the water. Together they chatted as the waves rhythmically came in and out, causing them to rise and descend with the water. Surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature, the sounds of the waves gently crashing into the sandy shoreline and the red canyons standing tall behind them, Craig began to open up further. After spending some time together, Debbie learned that, before Craig’s accident he had been an avid swimmer thus explaining his adamant manner about encountering the water again. It seemed that Craig’s dip into the river brought back those familiar feelings of swimming that he holds closely to his heart.

Something that others may perceive as a small change was actually just the beginning for Craig. The following year Debbie saw Craig again on another SPLORE rafting trip. Only this time around he was a part of the crazy chaos on the river, taking part in the water fights, laughing, jumping into the river and taking it all in with a smile; something Craig once would have not done before.

Positive changes taking place is something Debbie takes pleasure in witnessing as a volunteer. She has continuously given her time and energy over the last two years on many of SPLORE's programs and overnight trips and has made many new friends along the way. She agrees that SPLORE grants people the opportunity to pursue outdoor adventures where many may have not thought possible. Like one participant once told her, “Everyone always told me no, you can’t, it isn’t do-able, it’s not alright but people like you at SPLORE have shown me I can.”

On a side note, Debbie often reiterates often that she doesn’t come out enough to volunteer; however, SPLORE thinks Debbie is letting her modest nature get in the way and that she truly is a knowledgeable and magnificent SPLORE volunteer!