By Lauren Barber
MethuenLife Writer

On the night of Jan. 31, 2000, 20-year-old Methuen native Erik Corbett got into his Jeep, shut the door and drove off. The next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital. Between those moments, Erik was involved in a horrific car accident that left him a paraplegic stripped of the use his legs.
It has been a decade since the accident and, in that time, Erik chose to conquer his injury rather than succumb to it. You could say that determination has taken Erik to “extremes,” including a go-for-it attitude, an inspiring teaching career and the ability to roar down a mountain on a single ski. This year, on Jan. 31 — exactly 10 years to the day of his accident — he competed for the second time in the mono-skiing event at ESPN’s Winter X Games 14 in Aspen, Colo.
"I do think about the possibility of breaking my neck or suffering a brain injury occasionally," Erik said. "The jumps at the X Games in particular are so big, the risks are a lot bigger than just skiing in general. With experience, you learn to take calculated risks."
But he admits that right after losing the use of his legs, none of those risks seemed possible. His life had previously revolved around playing hockey, snowboarding and downhill mountain biking, and he felt defeated.
"When I first got home, I didn't want to do anything," he said. "I just wanted to stay in bed."
Erik’s parents, Don and Susan, a sixth-grade teacher at Comprehensive Grammar School, refused to allow Erik to let life pass him by.
"Mom and dad kept pushing me to get out of the house and try different things," said Erik, who attended Methuen High for three years before transferring to Green Mountain College and later earning a degree from UMass Lowell.
Erik traveled to Lincoln, N.H., to try out an off-road, downhill wheelchair to replace his downhill mountain bike.
"That was a turning point when I was able to jump in one of those," he said.
Then Erik experienced mono skiing, where paraplegic skiers sit atop a single ski with their outstretched legs strapped together. Outriggers, similar to ski poles, are attached to the skier’s arms for balance. Erik went up to Loon Mountain about 11 months after his accident to try the sport.
"I was pushing it a little bit," he said. "You take a beating when you're learning."
Watching Erik glide down the slopes today is almost identical to watching able-bodied skiers. He uses his hips to shift his body weight for turns and approaches the chair lift the same way other skiers do, but somehow he manages to cruise to the bottom of the mountain faster than almost anyone else on the trail. Often times, people who are unfamiliar with Erik are curious about what he is doing.
"Usually little kids are full of questions," Erik said. "At Attitash (Mountain), though, the 'regulars' are used to seeing me so it’s kind of fun to go to mountains that don't have programs like ours and introduce the sport to some new people."
The scariest part for Erik, and many mono skiers, is jumping. Once in the air, mono skiers have little control until they land. They have to rely on their equipment and balance to land precisely on one skinny ski.
Four years ago, ESPN first invited 12 mono skiers to its Winter X Games to compete in an official medal event — just like its other “extreme” competitors in skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Last year, Erik competed in the skier cross event, racing through a downhill terrain park with jumps and turns in a fight to the finish. Out of the 12 invited, eight qualify for the semi-final round, racing four at a time. The top two from each race move on to the final round. Last year, Erik crashed on his first practice run, receiving an injury that required seven stitches under his eye. Even so, he competed in the races, finishing fifth overall.
"He competes and that's what it's all about — pulling up your bootstraps and getting all out of life," said Erik's proud dad, Don.
But the X Games is only part of Erik’s impressive post-accident life.
In 2005, he moved to Bartlett, N.H., accepting the position of program director of the Ability Plus program at Attitash Mountain. Ability Plus is an adaptive snow-sport and recreation program that makes it possible for individuals with both mental and physical disabilities to participate in various activities. As program director, Erik does everything from scheduling lessons and recruiting instructors to planning fund-raisers and scheduling. He says the best part of his job, though, is teaching.
Karly Erickson is a 9-year-old girl who is nonverbal and has difficulty walking. Four years ago, thanks to Erik and his team of volunteers, Karly was able to ski with her family.
"Finally, we were able to enjoy a recreational activity as a family," said Kristin Erickson, Karly's mom.
Karly has become a regular student at Attitash. The Erikson family loves Erik's enthusiasm and patience with Karly.
"Each weekend, Karly arrives to the sound of, 'Karly's here!' and a smile as wide as a ski trail appears on her face," Kristin said.
"Erik is an inspiration," she continued. "He is proof that commitment and creativity allow a person with disabilities to fully participate in the joys of life. He is patient, caring, attentive and funny, and is a significant and rewarding part of our life."
Kristin's company, Parlerai Inc., a web service devoted to helping individuals with special needs, is sponsoring Erik's trip to the X Games this year.
Erik also competes in cycling marathons, and has raced in Boston, New York City, Detroit, Atlanta and Walt Disney World.
"Every day is an adventure with him," said mom Susan. "When he has a passion for something, you don't stop him. ...He scares the daylights out of me. He is absolutely fearless and there is nothing he won't tackle."
Erik’s younger brother, Tim, says he envies the purpose-filled life that Erik has made for himself.
"I am just jealous of the fact that he is hanging out in the mountains changing people's lives and I am working like every other stiff just trying to get by," he said.
Tim is going back to the X Games this year with Erik and hopes for even bigger success.
"Last year it seemed he was happy to be there, happy to compete," Tim reflected. "I hope this year he can leave it all on the course and maybe come home with some hardware."

Kristin Erickson, whose disabled daughter learned to ski through Erik’s Ability Plus program at Attitash Mountain.