Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind enjoys sports and sunshine in Sun Valley

Students from the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind in Gooding, spent Wednesday enjoying sports and sunshine in Sun Valley.

The school works with Higher Ground, a Blaine County based non-profit, that provides therapeutic recreation and education for people with disabilities.

“It feels good to have a sense of accomplishment because honestly, I did not think I could actually do this, so, at least I’m actually on a sled,” said Sofie Wigton, a senior.

“It’s pretty fun, you know. You get away from class and enjoy the sun the cool air,” said Julissa Alcoser, who is also a senior.

Higher Ground works with the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind to come up five different times during the year, bringing a different group each time.

Eventually everyone, kindergarten through 12th grade, gets to spend a day in Sun Valley, skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey sledding, or ice skating.

“You’ve got these, I want to say hockey sticks with spikes on the end of them, and you just use those to push yourself around and hit a puck,” said Adrien Brillhart, a student.

“You get to do hockey and it’s a good experience to get your balance back if you need to,” said Lilli Valenzuela, a 7th grader.

A teacher says about half of the school’s 90 or so students are from the Magic Valley.

The other half are from all over Idaho and board at the school.