Alexis and the Lake Tahoe Tumult - Erica Rodgers [28]
McKenzie: No, silly. Bailey’s been up here in Montana, so she can tell you how many mountains we have in parts of our state. Some people from my church have a ministry helping people with disabilities do sports things, like participating in rodeos and even skiing.
Elizabeth: How do they do that?
McKenzie: People who can see and help skiers get around are called guides. They ski the trail with the blind person and help him or her avoid obstacles and learn the course.
Elizabeth: That must be a really hard thing to do.
McKenzie: They say it’s not as hard as people think. Although blind people don’t have their sight and can’t follow a guide with their eyes, they can follow the guide with their ears and other senses. And they tend to have good instincts that help them find their way around.
Alexis: Really? Do they have friends who help people around here?
McKenzie: Well, no, I don’t think so. But I went online and looked up the resort where you’re staying. They’re having a ski meet in a couple of days. I e-mailed them to see if people with disabilities can compete, and they told me yes. I told them about your friend, Angelo, and they said they had guides available to help at the meet. The guides give the people with disabilities a little bit of help so they can compete. All Angelo has to do is register for the meet and request one ahead of time. He just needs to talk to Mark at extension 378 in the resort.
Alexis: Terrific! I’ll make sure he knows that!
McKenzie: The guy named Mark was really nice. He said if you guys had any questions to just ask him.
Bailey nudged Alexis’s shoulder. “Look, Angelo just walked by. He’s sitting over there. Maybe we should go talk to him about it.”
“Good idea,” Alexis said as she typed their good-byes to their online friends and logged out of the public computer.
As the girls approached Angelo, they saw that his eyebrows were crumpled into a scowl.
Bailey said. “Hey, Angelo! Over here!”
The boy’s face lit up as he turned toward the girls.
“What’s up, Angelo? You look bummed,” said Alexis.
“Well, it’s not a big deal,” said Angelo. “I found out about a ski race the resort’s sponsoring later this week. I just wish I could be part of it.”
“But you can!” Bailey exclaimed.
“We told one of our friends about meeting you the other day and how you wished you could ski,” Alexis explained.
Bailey picked up the story. “She contacted the hotel and talked to a guy named Mark at extension 378.”
“He said they have guides for skiers who need help!” Alexis said. “All you have to do is call him to register and to request a guide.”
“That’s awesome, Angelo! You should totally enter!” cried Bailey.
“Hey, you can do it right now!” Alexis exclaimed, noticing the house phone nearby.
“Well, I guess I could,” Angelo said hesitantly.
“Here, we’ll help!” The girls led Angelo to a bench by the phone. They sat beside him as he punched in the extension number 378.
The girls listened to Angelo sign up.
“Okay,” he said. “Do you have anyone who can help me practice? … Oh, I see…. Well, yes, let’s go ahead and leave me signed up for the event. Maybe I can figure something out.”
Angelo sighed heavily as he hung up the receiver and leaned back in his chair.
“Is there a problem?” Alexis asked.
“Well, a bit of a challenge.” Angelo smiled weakly. “They have guides to help at the race, and I’m signed up for one. But they don’t have any practice guides available. I need to practice if I’m going to compete. Oh well.”
Alexis could tell he was trying not to kill the mood and depress everyone else. She thought hard for a minute, and then her eyes lit up.
“Angelo! I’ve got an idea!” she said. “Meet us tomorrow morning at the ski lodge—as soon as the lifts open!”
“But, Alexis—”
“No buts! Just do it! And be ready to practice!” Alexis jumped off the couch and grabbed Bailey by the arm.
“Come on, Bailey! We have a lot to do before tomorrow!” The girls took off toward the elevators, leaving Angelo baffled but