Ella-Brenton Rule

Ella has a dream to represent New Zealand in skiing - a passion she found thanks to a Halberg Activity Fund grant.

The 11 year old Hastings local has cerebral palsy, which causes physical limitations on her movement and balance.

"I have never been good at anything, but adaptive skiing has made me feel like, for once, I’m at the same level or better than other people.”

Ella began taking adaptive skiing lessons at Mt Ruapehu in August 2017 with support from the Halberg Foundation and quickly found there was no limit to her skiing ability.

Mum Alison says “It was difficult finding a suitable sport for Ella, but skiing has been amazing. For her confidence, Ella needs to spend as much time as possible skiing and Halberg is helping us to achieve this.”