This month’s spotlight is Vermonter Paula McNeill! 

The KBF is grateful to have Paula connected to our community since nearly the beginning. Paula received her first equipment grant for a road handcycle almost 15 years ago and a monoski a few years later. Our grant committee is thrilled to recently grant her first Active Fund in over a decade to help upgrade her handcycle so she can gravel ride with her friends and family. Since she joined our community, Paula and her whole family have rarely missed a Kelly Brush Ride!

“Since I have become a member of the KBF family,” Paula explains, “I have made lifelong friends. Any event I attend I always learn something new, I make new friends, and just have one heck of a time.”

As an outdoor enthusiast, Paula has worked for Killington/Pico Resort for 30 years in several different departments. She raised her two adult children in Vermont and although they live on the West Coast now, one of her yearly highlights is for them to come back to Vermont and participate in the ride. 

Paula is an active handcyclist, kayaker, monoskier, and swimmer. “Biking is my favorite activity in the summer,” she explains, “because I can ride with anyone. I ride with girlfriends and family.  Unlike skiing, I have to have strong experienced skiers ski with me which does limit who and how often I can ski.  Biking doesn’t really have any boundaries except the terrain.”

Taking advantage of our beautiful Vermont recreation opportunities, Paula is active with Green Mountain Adaptive Sports and Vermont Adaptive. “It is just awesome to hang out with other disabled folks who are similarly physically challenged because I always learn something new and I feel that I teach newbies something new to make their lives better in some way.”

What does Paula have to say about the Kelly Brush Ride? 

“It’s hard to put into words… You just have to do it!! You’ll see what I’m talking about.”