Danelle Umstead races down the mountain with breathtaking precision, a world-class athlete who relies not on her vision but on an unshakable bond of trust. A three-time Paralympic bronze medalist in Alpine skiing, she masters the slopes with the guidance of her husband, Rob, who skis just ahead of her, calling out every turn and change in terrain. Her story is one of extraordinary determination and courage, but her achievements transcend the course.

Together, Danelle and Rob have secured a collection of accolades, including four world championship medals and more than 50 Alpine skiing World Cup medals. They became the first visually impaired husband-and-wife ski racing team to compete and medal for Team USA at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games. There, they won bronze medals in both the downhill and super combined events and concluded the season by earning the overall and super G World Cup titles. 

Danelle, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (a genetic eye disease that leads to blindness) at age 13, has never let her vision define her limits. After losing her central vision and eventually most of her sight, she discovered adaptive skiing at 29, thanks to her father. The sport transformed her life, giving her a sense of freedom and purpose.

“Being active and in a community within sports is just life-changing, no matter what age you are when you get involved,” says Danelle. “I felt like I had no one to look up to; I definitely found it within Olympians.”

That feeling of empowerment is what inspired Danelle to create the Sisters in Sports Foundation in 2020. She realized that while she had found her passion, many other women and girls with disabilities faced significant barriers to participating in sports. The foundation was born from Danelle’s desire to clear that path for others.

Sisters in Sports provides mentorship, financial support through a grant program, and opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to pursue their athletic dreams—from recreational participation to competing on the world stage. The foundation connects aspiring athletes with established female mentors who have navigated the challenges of being a disabled athlete. These relationships provide invaluable guidance on everything from training regimens to securing sponsorships and handling the mental pressures of competition. 

For Danelle, the foundation is a continuation of her own journey. Every success story, every barrier broken, and every girl who discovers her own strength on a mountain is a victory. “There are so many beautiful things that come from community support,” she says. “Together we rise.”