Blind Skier Inspires

BLUE KNOB, BEDFORD COUNTY - Before this year, 46 year old Lisa Hagerich hadn't been on skis in 20 years.  For all the people who told her that she couldn't try it, she says, just watch her.

Part of the reason people are so impressed with Lisa is because she skis blind.
Because a disease called Retinitus Pigmentosa hit her at age 11, all she can see is an occasional shadow. She says she'd do just as well with a blindfold. She can't see her feet, or the snow, or other skiers.
She puts her faith in her guide, who tells her what's coming up ahead and which direction to turn. Lisa found that overcoming fear is the key to coming out of the darkness.

Lisa also runs triathalons, enjoys white water rafting, sky diving, and rock climbing.
Together with her husband of 22 years, she's raised and inspired three daughters, now ages 21, 19 and 16.

Lisa says there's just too much to do in this beautiful world to be slowed down by blindness. For this adventurous spirit, the most frustrating part of her life is people who want to restrict her. They obviously don't know her.  Her one bit of advice to you, blind or not is don't listen to anyone who says, "you can't"
Lisa is already planning on trying snow boarding next year.