Portrait of a Hero - Ty

 Portrait of a Hero - Ty Poulson

I was privileged to interview Ty (my nephew) over the internet. 

I have been so impressed with his determination and courage to 

tackle the odds and to do such fun and amazing things!

Following are the questions I asked and his responses!

1. What is the handicap you are dealing with?
I suffer from MS like disease, for which they are uncertain of the cause.

2. How long have you had this?
I have had this disease for 6 years.

3. Where do you get your desire to Rise Above Your Limits?
My Aunt Becky gave me the desire to Rise Above My Limits, and so did reading PN (paraplegic news) and my Faith In God. I saw other Athletes going the distance so I wanted to go the distance as well. My Family, my community, my Dog.

4. What are you doing now that you never thought you would be able to do?
Since my entrance into a differently abled world, I never thought I would walk, or Rock Climb, or Snow Shoe, or Hike. I have been able to Ride Freight Trains, Rock Climb, Walk, Carry Weighted Objects, Walk without the assistance of a Cane, or a Wheelchair.

I fix bicycles, I go on long Hand Cycle trips, My Uncle Chuck was my Cycling Model. I also watch movies, play Violin, Fiddle, Watch YouTube, or go and visit people who have situations like mine, or that are similar or worse. Meditation really helps, Yoga, spending time reading, Music, etc.

I also learned how to ski, play wheelchair basketball, become a fully sponsored Athlete, and also play and win Fiddle Contests.

5. Have there been certain people that have helped you along the way? What was it you appreciated the most?
First of all my Mother Julie, she has been there to support me, and give wind to my sails, plus my family, and my friends, my dog as well as I appreciate winning medals, and what not, doing things that astound other people, I have to say that I appreciate God the most.

I fix bicycles, I go on long Hand Cycle trips, My Uncle Chuck was my Cycling Model. I also watch movies, play Violin, Fiddle, Watch YouTube, or go and visit people who have situations like mine, or that are similar or worse. Meditation really helps, Yoga, spending time reading, Music, etc.***

I also learned outdoor skills in Boy Scouts, I am an Eagle Scout, so I attribute that to my scout masters.

I attribute:
My love of skiing, to Virgil Ash,
My love of Ski Jouring, to Montana.
My love of downhill skiing, to Bruce Gibson, at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
My love of life, to my God, Jesus Christ
My love of music, to my Father,
My love of Dogs, to my Father.

6. How do you handle situations that are beyond your control, such as people and their ignorance to your situation?
It is hard to handle the ignorant people, I try my best to teach, or lead by example, or just blow by the ignorance.


I just love life, and it has been amazing, the things I have been able to do, I have composed songs, skijoured, on a skijour that I built myself. I have conquered mountains. I have done a lot, and I am not done yet. I love life so much, but I hate the chronic pain, but I have soared, like an Eagle, and I am smart enough to know when not to fly to close to the sun, I have been victorious in many ways, even in the hardest of times, I have trusted in Jesus, that all will be well with him. I have done my best Physically, and I hope to leave a legacy to this World. Marathons are fun to do, and I thank my sponsors at Pharmanex, and Nu Skin, and Racer's Cycle Service for all their help. I also have to thank Bob Giordano, and all my friends in Missoula, and the people all over Montana, that have fed me, or helped me, or let me fix bikes for them. My daughter Marisol, for how strong she is, and how she loves the outdoors, and the times I got to be with her, and go sledding, and spend time reading to her, getting to know her, and her love of the outdoors. May she always be blessed.

I come from a really awesome family, and I have amazing relatives from all over the place. They are all so strong, and such an inspiration to me. Especially my Aunt Becky, who deals with RA, every day, and I just take more strength from her example, and my cousin Pete Terry. So many people have been there, I just hope I can give back.

I want to give back to all those from whom I took from, and this is my chance, God has really blessed me as of lately, and I have been constantly touring and meeting people, all over the place, on the road, in the railroad yards, in homeless shelters, I want to thank the people of Browning Montana, at the BlackFeet Reservation, I would like them to know how much they are loved, and if people can help, send videos to them, or donations, they are a great people. I went there to celebrate Veterans Day. I told them the name Harold Gividen at that ceremony and played Soldiers' Joy, an old Fiddle tune on the Violin for the tribe. I am a friend and honorary member of the Blackfeet nation.

I love you all,
Ty