Many of you know that I have three children, twin 21-year-olds, Alex and Bina, and an 18-year-old, Ian. All of us love skiing, especially my daughter. This past winter, she even graduated to skiing on black diamond runs, which ain’t easy…especially if, like her, you have special needs. Bina has cerebral palsy. She is also deaf. None of that stops her from living life to the fullest.
In January, I posted some video of Bina skiing. A friend and colleague, Becky Jarrell, quickly reached out and urged me to apply to an international winter sports program for people with unique needs. Becky is active in the Lions Club of Atlanta, and the program is run by the International Lions Club…of Norway!
The stakes were high. If Bina were accepted into the program, all of her activities and lift tickets would be paid for, and she would be provided with housing, meals, and a guide for the entire week. More importantly, she would be gathered with hundreds of other people who, like her, live with physical disabilities.
The fact that this event was to be held in Norway held special significance for Bina and our family. Bina is my daughter’s nickname – her actual name is Tobina. She is named after my grandmother, Tobina. And my grandmother was named after my great-grandfather, Tobias Abrahamsen, who immigrated to the United States from…Norway.
Knowing the special Norwegian family connections, you can imagine how thrilled we all were when we found out that Bina got accepted into the program! She literally jumped up and down with joy. It was an amazing experience. Bina went downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, and dogsledding. She watched amazing athletes – including blind skiers – as they participated with gusto, despite their challenges. The trip was so special that it felt like the Viking ghosts of my ancestors were guiding things along.
On the opening day of the program, after the opening ceremonies, I went on Ancestry.com to learn more about my grandmother’s heritage. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around what I learned. My grandmother’s birthday was that very day, the opening day of the program. It was like a wink from heaven. From Tobina to Tobina. From heaven to Norway.
A Lesson in Courage
Leadership lives in the quiet courage of others. Watching Bina push through steep slopes, physical limitations, and communication barriers reminded me that leadership isn’t always loud or positional. Sometimes it’s about resilience. It’s about showing up fully despite the odds—and in doing so, inspiring others to do the same.
This experience in Norway wasn’t just about skiing. It was about honoring the legacy of family, of courage, and of spirit. As leaders, we often think we’re supposed to be the ones guiding others. But sometimes, we’re the ones being led by the quiet power of perseverance, by history, and by the next generation showing us what’s possible.
What if the greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from those in charge, but from those quietly pushing boundaries and honoring the spirit of legacy?
