Peer to Peer (P2P) Mentorship

Connect with people, resources, support

Have you, or someone you know, recently experienced a life changing event that has left you with a disability, and are now uncertain where to start to rebuild and reconnect with your community?

The GMAS Peer to Peer (P2P) Mentorship Program offers personalized one-on-one support and resources for people navigating the change and the transition to an altered lifestyle.

The GMAS P2P mentorship program mainly focuses on the role of sports and recreational programs as a powerful avenue for people with disabilities to develop independence as well as physical and mental well-being.

Giving Back

Amy MacDonald, a volunteer and GMAS athlete who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in 2019 is acting as our lead coordinator for the program. Her goal is to help empower others, and offer practical resources based on her personal experiences.

Our coordinator can consult, offer emotional support, and provide practical guidance to help mentees navigate their challenges and achieve success by connecting them with a vibrant sports community. The coordinator can also help individual connect with another mentor who shares similar life experiences.

The GMAS P2P Mentoring Program can help increase social engagement and promote healthy life choices, as well as provide a safe space to engage with others, celebrate achievements and develop life skills and long-lasting relationships.

Meet Amy, Our Program Coordinator

Hi. I am Amy Macdonald. Back in 2019, my life changed dramatically when, out of nowhere, I experienced a hemorrhagic stroke. One minute I was working as a nurse, the next thing I knew I was waking up as a patient who just had emergency brain surgery. I spent the next four-plus months in the hospital and rehab. In the end, I left with no use of my left arm and limited function in my left leg. As I adjusted to these changes in my body and lifestyle, I found myself lonely and isolated, so I began exploring adaptive sports, which, now, six years later, have become an essential part of my life.

I now actively participate in adaptive kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, and ice climbing. All of them are great, however, I find that the ones that work best for me are the activities that I never did before having the stroke, because there’s nothing to compare them to. My favorites so far have been rock and ice climbing and skiing. Things I never would have dreamed of doing before.

Adaptive sports have had a profound impact on my life. They help me stay physically and mentally fit. I get exercise, I get outside, and I work with amazingly talented coaches who I trust to let me have some crazy fun and keep me safe.

Before my stroke, I did a lot of hiking, gardening, and dancing, which allowed meditation with movement. That’s what climbing and skiing feel like to me. You get up on the wall or mountain, with help, you can use your body however you can, forget about everything, and just focus on your movements. It’s a way to clear my mind for a while. It allows me to stop focusing on what I can’t do and feel safe exploring what my current body can do. Adaptive sports have truly saved me. Someone asked me once if participating in adaptive sports has changed my view on my disability; I didn’t hesitate to say yes, I can do a lot more than I ever thought possible.

Let’s get you started

My goal with this GMAS P2P mentorship is to help empower others. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be overwhelming and scary to figure out where to start. Speaking from experience, finding the right group to work with is very important! I can help support you through this process if you find you want someone to talk to about being disabled. If you need help finding options for activities, I can give you resources, encourage you, and listen. If you are an adaptive athlete interested in becoming a mentor, I would love to hear from you. 

Please fill out the form below so we can start a connection.

Reach out with questions!

Amy MacDonald
Volunteer Mentor & Coordinator
GMAS P2P Mentorship Program
mentorship@greenmtnadaptive.org

We will start accepting applications for the P2P Mentorship program on June 1, 2025.