Kick off the 2022/'23 Indie Lens season of films and community conversation with STARS: Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports and Bud Werner Library.

Beneath the waters of Lake Superior, off the shore of Wisconsin, Kelsey Peterson underwent a transformation. On the eve of Independence Day 2012, she dove in and hit the lake bottom headfirst, suffering a life-altering spinal cord injury that takes away both function and sensation from the chest down, essentially robbing Kelsey of her self-identities as an athlete and dancer. Alongside peers and allies in the spinal cord injury community, she seeks to answer the question “Who am I now?” As she grapples with the ebb and flow of hope and acceptance, Kelsey talks to researchers and meets with people who belong to this community and who help give her the strength and the will to return to dance. When a cutting-edge clinical trial surfaces, it tests her expectations and her faith in the possibility of a cure, forcing her to evaluate the limits of her recovery—in body and spirit. A film by Kelsey Peterson and Daniel Klein

Join the moderated conversation with team members from STARS after the film.

STARS’ mission is to empower and enrich lives through adaptive recreational activities. STARS was formed in 2007 by a group of parents, ski instructors, and management from Steamboat Ski Corporation to help provide improved winter recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2010, STARS was contracted by Steamboat Ski Corporation to be the exclusive operator of all winter adaptive lessons and programs for the Steamboat Ski area. Since then, STARS has grown to offer year-round programming on and off the mountain.

STARS believes that adaptive recreation can positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.  STARS’ programs help individuals discover the outdoors and teach skills to overcome health challenges, as well as develop confidence, self-esteem, and independence. They use skiing, cycling, therapeutic horseback riding, kayaking and many other activities to empower people with disabilities.

These activities help to reduce depression and isolation by increasing physical activity, self-sufficiency, and hope in our participants. STARS believes that through their programs, they strengthen families and communities while encouraging individuals to become productive and responsible citizens.