Donate to help Corey with mobility needs

Twists. You might think Corey Hacker would be used to them, as a former Freestyle Aerial competitor with US Ski Team. But this twist he did not initiate: A neuro-muscular disorder that is gradually taking away his ability to move. Over forty years of training, competing, and coaching Corey probably fell more than ten-thousand times. He always got back up. This time, he just needs a hand.

Since retiring from competition, Corey has maintained a very active lifestyle. He married former teammate Kelly Hilliman. Their three children are even more energetic than you’d expect from two pro athletes. Corey works as a graphic artist and, with Kelly, coaches the FLITE Team, the freestyle skiing program at the HoliMont Ski Club, in Ellicottville, NY. It is the second largest private ski area in the country. Corey and Kelly founded the program and continue to train approximately 70 athletes.

However, it is now close to impossible for Corey to access training courses and events to coach and guide HoliMont athletes.

Corey’s condition progressed from using orthopedic devices, to a cane, to two canes, to a wheelchair part time, to where we are now, using a wheelchair 100% of the time. For ski coaching it went from skiing, to side-slipping on one leg, to taking the lift up and getting ski patrol rides down, to snowmobiles and last year sit-skiing with HoliMont’s Phoenix Adaptive Program. The goal was to learn to sit-ski and try to become independent on it to allow him to get to the courses to coach. It is basically a seat with skis under it and outriggers like crutches in your hands that also have short skis on it. But since last season some of Corey’s core, trunk, arms and hands have become weaker. With this progression he is not sure if he will be able to meet his goal.

There have been many diagnoses throughout this journey: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA), lower motor neuron disease, and at least 12 more. The condition is ultimately affecting the signaling between his distal motor nerves and cells of his muscles – weakening him and taking away is mobility.

To focus on his health and family, Corey recently went into an early disability retirement from his long-time employer, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. Corey worked in the public relations department as a multimedia specialist.

He is now spending time on his health and his family and watching for one more twist in his story. Thank you all for your support!