Each year, after reviewing nominations form the community, the Telluride Foundation names a ‘Volunteer of the Year,’ to recognize an individual who has “unselfishly contributed to Telluride’s regional community through volunteerism and service”

This week, the Foundation has named David Sussman its 2023 ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for his years of dedication to athletes in the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program and his impact on hundreds of youths.

Sussman first came to Telluride in the 1990s as a tourist, and he learned to ski here with TASP both on sit ski and a 4-track. A viral infection left Sussman paraplegic at the age of twelve, and discovered skiing in his adult life. Eventually, that love brought him to move to Telluride full-time.

Sussman sat down with KOTO News to reflect on his volunteerism with TASP. He begins by recalling how he first came to be a coach and instructor for other paraplegic skiers. It happened when he was living on the East Coast, and was skiing one day in Massachusetts.

David Sussman: A woman came up and said ‘hey, can I talk to you?’ And I said, ‘oh I’m sorry did I cut you off?’ And she said, ‘no, I want to help you with your skiing and then I want you to come and teach others how to ski.’ And I was like ‘wow!’ So that was a real turning point for me and that was in 2009.

Eventually, Sussman did make it back to Telluride. Moving to town in 2015 he worked in the lodging industry, skied, and volunteered with TASP. Then, during COVID, his doctor informed he was immunocompromised, and should leave work for his safety.

Sussamn continues: It took a couple of weeks, but I was able to retire and I went on Social Security Disability after a 40-year work career. But it gave me the opportunity me to dedicate basically the rest of my life to TASP. So since that time I have been a year-round volunteer with Telluride Adaptive.

KOTO News: What has your work with Telluride Adaptive been like; what are some of the highlights of those years?

DS: The real highlight of my time with TASP, kind of my favorite thing to do with TASP is called “Enabling All.” It’s a program TASP has had for twenty years whereby we do a day in the school and talk with [students] about disability awareness, disability etiquette: how to speak with people who have disabilities, how to ask if they need any help, how to go about that. As well as underline the fact that although people with disabilities look different, we’re doing the same things as able-bodied people.

KOTO: Before your disability at age twelve, had you been a big athlete?

DS: No sure, I’ve always considered myself a kind of marginal athlete. I did little league as a kid. I grew up in Southern California, so I was a skateboarder. I wouldn’t say I was the most talented out there, and ironically I do now consider myself a pretty solid skier. This past winter I was able to — with a group of TASP and non-TASP people — get up and ski a Mountain Quail which is a pretty significant hike-to.

KOTO: Right now you're actually living in California, although you do have plans to be back in Telluride this winter — will you talk a little bit about the challenges you’ve faced staying in this community?

DS: Unfortunately, I’ve had some real struggles finding wheelchair-accessible housing, and I’ve lived in nine or ten different places in my nine years in Telluride which is a real drag. It's actually taken a toll on my body: living in basements, using my crutches when I'm not supposed to be using my crutches anymore. Sadly there are 58 wheelchair accessible houses in Telluride (excluding Mountain Village), and by my count all of them are occupied by able-bodied people. I realize there aren’t a lot of disabled people living in mountain towns. But I think Telluride can do better.

KOTO: Despite those challenges you’ve become an integral part of this community — this recognition obviously shows that — what was it like to be named volunteer of the year?

DS: At first I was overwhelmed. I'm very aware of the fact that the Foundation generously recognizes someone in the community and I know a number of people who have won this in year’s past. They're the tops, in terms of people who give of themselves. And as far as volunteering goes, my work with TASP has been the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had. It fills me in a way I can’t explain. It’s hard to explain. Each year, I go to the orientations where we try to recruit new volunteers and I share my story and say it's hard work but you’re going to love it, and we have a terrific team of volunteers.

That was 2023 Volunteer of the Year David Sussman discussing his work with the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program.

The Telluride Foundation will celebrate Sussman’s work on October 26th with a party at the Ah Haa School. Sussman will be in attendance and all are invited. The October event runs from 4 to 7 pm.