Kim Kolstad was 41 years old when she was first introduced to adaptive sports.
Kolstad was born with arthrogryposis, a rare condition that affects your muscles and joints. Kolstad uses a power wheelchair full-time but has never let that stop her from trying new things and enjoying outdoor recreation. When she first tried the TetraSki in 2022, she was immediately hooked.
In 2022, Kolstad traveled from her home state of Arizona to Utah for the inaugural Brian McKenna TetraSki Express race, which she won. While in Utah, she learned about TRAILS, the University of Utah’s global adaptive program.
At the time, Kolstad—a licensed social worker—was working with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), introducing adaptive sports to veterans with complex injuries. After returning home to Arizona, Kolstad reached out to TRAILS.
“I told them they have an amazing program,” she said. “Then I asked them if they would come to Arizona and help with a four-day event I was putting on for veterans in the Phoenix area. Luckily, they said yes.”
At this event, Kolstad met Jeffrey Rosenbluth, MD, the medical director of the Spinal Cord Injury Acute Rehabilitation program at Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital. Rosenbluth is also the medical director for the TRAILS program at University of Utah Health.
When he found out Kolstad was a social worker, he recruited her to come and work at the Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital. Although Kolstad wasn’t looking for a job, or even looking to move to Utah, she said yes.
“My whole goal as a social worker is to work with people with disabilities,” she said. “This opened up the opportunity to do that and play a bit as well.”
In September 2023, Kolstad relocated to Utah, leaving behind her family and her entire support network.
“It’s been a big change,” she said. “But it’s so worth it.”
Even though Kolstad won’t celebrate her one-year anniversary at the Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital until September, she has already made quite an impact in her role.
Peer Mentors for Spinal Cord Patients
Kolstad is currently establishing a peer coaching program that gives spinal cord patients the opportunity to work with a peer health coach as they adjust to life after their injury.
A peer health coach is a former patient who is at least two years out from their own injury. They’ve had time to adjust to their new life and now volunteer their time to help others through this sometimes-daunting transition.
Right now, there are six fully trained peer health coaches.
“Patients are partnered with a peer health coach soon after their injury, while they are still inpatient at the rehabilitation hospital,” said Kolstad. “They help newly injured patients know what to expect as they leave the hospital and return to life at home.”
Peer health coaches ensure that patients always have someone to talk to—someone who has been through something similar.
“A peer health coach is more than just a friend,” Kolstad said. “They help patients set goals and help them get adjusted back to the community.”
Seeing her patients get back to life after their injury is important to Kolstad. She also wants her patients to know they can participate in outdoor activities if they are interested.
“I think it’s so important—especially for some of our younger patients—to see that yes, you can still have a full-time job, you can still go to school, you can drive,” Kolstad said. “There are still so many things you can do.”
TRAILS Brings Hope
For Kolstad, TRAILS is no longer just something she can enjoy. It’s a resource she can utilize to help patients get back on the mountain and introduce them to something that might feel impossible.
“TRAILS helps open patient’s eyes to what is possible,” she said. “Just because you have a new disability and a new way of life, it doesn’t mean you are limited. It’s just going to look different.”
Thanks to TRAILS, spinal cord patients can still participate in the activities they enjoyed before their injury. Kolstad’s favorite part of her role is seeing hope come back into people’s eyes when they realize this.
“I see a lot of patients come in and there’s just not a lot of hope—especially with a spinal cord injury,” she said. “To see things finally start to click and to see the hope in their eyes again is huge for me.”
Every once and a while, Kolstad has the rare opportunity to see that hope in action on the mountain.
“Crossing paths with a former patient on a mountain bike trail or ski run is very cool,” she said. “I love seeing them succeed and enjoying new activities after their injury.”
Kolstad continues to bring hope and opportunities to those around her everywhere she goes.
She recently returned from Atlanta, Georgia, where she was the keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Support Inc. (AMCSI) conference.
Kolstad worked with TRAILS and three other adaptive sports agencies from across the country to provide an adaptive sports event including wake surfing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. This was a first for the conference that has been held annually for nearly 20 years.
“It was a huge success,” said Kolstad, who has already been invited back for next year’s conference. “I spoke to over 500 people and introduced adaptive sports to 400 people with a very complex disability.”
The experience was life-changing for everyone—including Kolstad.
“This conference was probably the best week of my life, just because of all the life-changing experiences I saw happen for those that were there,” she said.
One attendee told Kosltad multiple times that going wake surfing for the first time was the best day of his life.
“Getting involved with adaptive sports has helped me realize that the sky is the limit,” she said. “I want everyone I interact with to know that nothing is impossible and there is always hope, even after a serious injury.”
Kolstad continues to enjoy the outdoors through various adaptive sports. During the winter, she skis as much as possible. Her favorite summertime activities are mountain biking and wake surfing.
Learn More
TRAILS
To learn more about TRAILS, visit utrails.us. Not an adaptive athlete but still want to get involved? Volunteers are an important part of the year-round programming TRAILS offers. To learn more, visit utrails.us/volunteer.
Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
The Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital at University of Utah Health restores the quality of life for people with severe injuries and disabling conditions. The rehabilitation hospital offers personalized care and the latest advances in rehabilitation technology to help patients gain back their independence.
The regionally and nationally recognized team of specialists supports patients through every step of the rehabilitation journey. After patients leave the hospital, they receive ongoing care, including outpatient services, wellness programs, and support groups.
To learn more, visit healthcare.utah.edu/neilsen-physical-rehab-hospital.