At Maine Adaptive, our volunteers are the heart and soul of everything we do. Behind every lesson, high-five, and breakthrough moment is a person who chose to give their time, energy, and passion to make a difference. But what inspired them to step into this role? What was the spark that drew them to adaptive sports and our community?
In this series, we’re excited to share the unique origin stories of our volunteers—how they found Maine Adaptive, what keeps them coming back, and the unforgettable moments that have shaped their experience along the way. Whether it started with a ski lesson, a chance encounter, or a lifelong love of outdoor adventure, each story is a testament to the power of connection, inclusion, and purpose.
Meet Glenn Kroll!
I never skied as a kid. Not because I wasn’t interested, but because skiing requires two things I didn’t have: money and common sense. So it wasn’t until after college that I finally strapped on a pair of skis—thanks to a group of coworkers, one of whom knew someone who had taken a lesson. With that level of expertise, what could possibly go wrong?
At first, things went surprisingly well. I had ice skated as a kid, so I figured stopping on skis would be just like a hockey stop. Turns out, it’s very different. Instead of coming to a clean halt, I spun like a human fidget spinner, gaining speed instead of losing it. To make matters worse, it was a warm evening, and my unzipped jacket caught the breeze and flipped over my head, turning me into a blind, flailing, backwards-skiing tornado. Somehow, I made it to the bottom of the bunny slope without falling. Naturally, I took this as a sign that I was born to ski.
I skied a few more times over the years, but my real turning point (literally) came when my brother-in-law Ron invited me night skiing. Ron, a self-described “wild man” with limited skiing experience, also lacked one key qualification: any training as a blind ski guide. His method? Speeding ahead, then shouting “Right!” or “Left!” whenever he remembered I needed direction.
It mostly worked—until we hit an unlit section of the trail. Suddenly, Ron’s voice took on a tone I didn’t like.
“Turn!” he shouted.
“Uh… which way?” I thought.
There was no time to ask. I guessed. I guessed wrong.
Moments later, I was airborne. Then came an impromptu meeting with a stand of trees. My knees took the brunt of it, and as I lay there in the snow, rethinking my life choices, I decided skiing was definitely not for me.
The Relentless Kath and My Return to the Slopes
A few years later, my sister-in-law Kath began volunteering with Maine Handicapped Skiing (now Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation). She was thrilled about the program—and even more thrilled about the idea of me attending.
At every family gathering—Easter, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas—Kath would bring it up.
“You should come up to Maine! Sunday River is great! MHS is amazing!”
I, however, remembered my knees.
I resisted for years. But if you know Kath, you know resistance is futile. Eventually, mostly just to get her to stop asking, I gave in. “Fine! I’ll come ski with MHS.”
Of course, as soon as I did, I was hooked. Skiing with a trained guide? Not crashing into trees? Actually improving my skills? It was a whole new world. I kept coming back, drawn by the thrill of skiing and the incredible MHS community.
Eventually, Kath and I were asked to help lead blind guiding clinics. We happily agreed. Over the years, we’ve continued to refine and adapt the training—introducing things like two-way radios, which we helped pioneer—to help volunteers guide blind skiers safely and confidently.
So, after all my early misadventures, I did end up becoming a skier—just not the kind who relies on a wild-eyed brother-in-law yelling “Turn!” into the darkness. Turns out, having a trained guide makes all the difference.
As you’ve seen, the journey into volunteering with Maine Adaptive often begins with a simple moment—an invitation, a spark of curiosity, a desire to give back. But what grows from that moment is something extraordinary: a deep sense of purpose, lifelong friendships, and the joy of empowering others through sport.
These origin stories remind us that while our volunteers come from all walks of life, they share a common thread—a passion for inclusion, adventure, and community. Whether you’re already part of the Maine Adaptive family or thinking about joining, we hope these stories inspire you to reflect on your own path and maybe even start a new chapter of your own.
Because at Maine Adaptive, everyone belongs—and every story matters.