Chris Waddell
AN INSIDER’S INSIGHTS
Teacher. Coach. Dreamer. Advocate. Inspirator. These are a few words that have been used to describe Chris Waddell, one of the most decorated Paralympians in history. With thirteen Paralympic medals, Waddell was inducted into the US Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2019. The Dalai Lama celebrated Waddell’s impact on the world by naming him an Unsung Hero of Compassion. Today, Waddell is a popular motivational speaker and the founder of the nonprofit, One Revolution Foundation, whose mission is to “turn perception of disability upside down.” Waddell says, “it’s not what happens to you: It’s what you do with what happens to you.” In September 2009, Waddell turned that perception upside down by becoming the first nearly unassisted paraplegic to summit the 19,340 ft Mt Kilimanjaro. “The reason you climb a mountain is to be challenged”, says Waddell. Not only does he climb mountains, but he also champions and encourages others with disabilities to climb their metaphorical mountains to achieve the impossible.
Waddell grew up in western Massachusetts and started skiing at age six. He was home for winter break from Middlebury College when he had a skiing accident that changed his life completely. Paralyzed from the waist down, he started to monoski and soon became the fastest in the world. Waddell moved to Park City to train for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. He has lived in Park City for over twenty years and can often be spotted skiing at one of the local resorts or riding his bike through the mountains and into Kamas.
Favorite Lore Adventures From the Inspiring Paralympian:
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Change is the only constant, right? Sometimes it’s not easy. A lot has changed since I arrived in Park City from where I grew up—Aspen, Colorado—a town I left because it went through so much growth. In Park City, I have seen some wonderful arts and cultural organizations like Park City Institute, KPCW Radio Station, Mountain Town Music, Park City Film, the Egyptian Theatre, and others, undergo little and big growing pains through the years, and ultimately, they evolve, become stronger, and serve our community better.
Two events that most impacted Park City and Summit County in our modern history are the 2002 Winter Olympics and the Covid-19 pandemic. Both brought enormous growth. It’s painful for many of us longtime locals to share what’s been ours with so many new people; however, discomfort is something that can be transformative if we can lean into it and become involved in whatever way we can. Change is an opportunity to rise together and look at things differently.
What remains here is the outdoor mountain lifestyle we are privileged to enjoy, the generous spirit and deep character of people in our community, and our ability to adapt in ways we never expected. Change isn’t a closed book; it’s a new chapter.
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I look forward to the Olympics and Paralympics possibly returning to our town in 2030 or 2034. There’s nothing like the world coming to our little village for enrichment.
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I like that Park City was something before it was a destination. The mining history provides a soul for the town, people who scratched and struggled with hopes of making it big. Mining structures serve as reminders on the mountains, in town and places in between. The Park City Museum on Main Street is a fun, interactive history museum to learn more about our special town before it became a world-class destination.
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An epic summer day is a bike ride into Kamas, then up Brown’s Canyon, which kills me, but it is a great sense of achievement to go around the Old Ranch Road Loop and back home. The hills are long and grinding, but gaining a sense of rhythm, momentum and Zen feels like a victory. I love riding through the farms. They always give me a sense of peace. I’m always happy to eat, shower, and either watch a baseball game or read a good book from Dolly’s Bookstore guilt-free afterward.
Winter is about my first love of skiing. A powder day at Deer Valley Resort with friends, lunch on the mountain at Stein Eriksen Lodge and an early night to bed is the best. Skiing produces the best kind of tiredness and the best kind of sleep, and then, hopefully, do it all over the next day.
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Summiting Kilimanjaro sits at the top of the list for me because it was about more than just me. There’s a responsibility that comes with a bit of success and some exposure. I wanted to change the narrative from “that’s too bad” to “what do you do?” “what do you have to teach me?” for 1.2 billion people in the world with physical disabilities.
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To me, Park City is the most convenient mountain town in the world because of its proximity to a major airport and that we can live in a relatively small town. Though mountain town erroneously makes us sound isolated and provincial. You can eat as well as you do in a major city. Huge acts come to town in dance, music, and comedy. The Sundance Film Festival means that we get to see the most cutting-edge films before anyone else. Then there are the mountains and local spots like Utah Olympic Park, Egyptian Theatre, and Dejoria Center that sport top entertainment and a social atmosphere to connect with our community.