At the top of the snowy mountain, everything is silent as the sharp smell of cold air fills Coppell High School clinic aide Nan Fullinwider’s lungs. She slides forward and snow crunches beneath the skis, a familiar feeling for her.
For Fullinwider, skiing is a defining part of her life. It is a passion she has pursued for 60 years.
Fullinwider began skiing when she was 8, when her dad’s company owned a cabin in Red River, NM. Family trips to New Mexico started as summer vacations, but soon turned into opportunities to learn how to ski.
“Since we always had a free place to stay, my parents thought it would be fun for my siblings and I to learn how to ski,” Fullinwider said. “That is how we started.”
As the years went by, skiing became a bigger part of her life. It grew into something that Fullinwider continued to return to for the sense of freedom it provided. Gliding down mountains allowed her to focus fully on the moment, pulling away distractions or stress.
“It is an adrenaline rush,” Fullinwider said. “When I am out there, it is therapy. It is like I do not have anything else going on and I love it.”
The passion, however, did not come without challenges. Over the years, not because of skiing, Fullinwider underwent two neck surgeries and two back surgeries. She wondered if she was ever going to be able to ski again as the doctors advised her to stop. Despite the risks, she recovered quickly and refused to let those limitations take away something she deeply loved.
”I like challenges,” Fullinwider said. “When someone tells me I cannot do something, I will prove them wrong.”
Her dedication sparked passion in those close to her. Her daughter, Kaci Fullinwider, has experienced it all. Watching her mother return to skiing taught her that a passion can never end.
“It shows that you’re never too old to pick something back up, no matter how daunting the challenge is,” Kaci said. “She has always been a huge influence on my life. Her drive, determination and no quit attitude shaped who I am today.”
Mrs. Fullinwider’s love for skiing has also been a defining part of her relationship with her husband, Lanse Fullinwider. Through years of skiing together, he has watched her push boundaries and embrace challenges.
”She grew up with it and it is part of her DNA,” Mr. Fullinwider said. “She loves being up in the mountains, and we’ve gone through some pretty cool adventures together.”
Nan credits much of her experience to her parents, Martha and Jake Kiem, who made it possible from the beginning. Because of her parents’ support, Mrs. Fullinwider’s passion for skiing was able to grow and evolve.
“I am so thankful for my parents,” Mrs. Fullinwider said. “They worked so hard to give us the opportunity to ski and support us all those years.”
Through years of experience on and off the slopes, Mrs. Fullinwider has learned what it means to hold on to something she loves the most. She thinks passion is something worth protecting no matter how many challenges there can be.
“Do not let anything stop you,” Nan said. “I could have let the doctors stop me, but I did not. It is all about the mindset, you have to go for what you love and not let the negativity take it away from you.”
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