Ability on Display at The Hartford Ski Spectacular

More than 800 disabled men, women and children - including disabled soldiers from the United States, Canada and Great Britain - descended on Breckenridge, Colo., the week of Dec. 7 for The Hartford Ski Spectacular. With the latest adaptive equipment and certified instructors, these recently disabled attendees learned that even following a catastrophic injury, anything is possible, even skiing.

2008 was the 21st year of the event and the 15th with The Hartford as the title sponsor. The Hartford Ski Spectacular is the nation's largest winter sports festival for individuals with physical disabilities.

GBD senior leaders Ron Gendreau, Glenn Shapiro and Bob Reiff attended the event, hosting 45 guests including customers and producers. The GBD guests participated in business sessions and heard from U.S. Paralympic athletes, members of the Wounded Warrior Project and kids participating in Ski Spectacular's disabled learn-to-race program.  The event is an outstanding opportunity for GBD leaders and sales representatives to interact with customers and producers outside of the office. And for the guests attendance, it's a perfect demonstration of the Ability Philosophy in action.

Special guest speakers included Josh George and  Scott Winkler, Paralympians who competed in the Beijing Summer Olympics, and 1st Lt. Jeffrey Adams from Baton Rouge, La.