Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/169788
TOP OF HER GAME Liz Ann Kudrna grew up in California as an avid mountain biker skier and rock climber , , . After training in Physical Therapy, massage, and Pilates and six years of practice, she moved to Bozeman and opened the Body in Balance Studio. A fall while rock climbing left her lower body paralyzed but even from a wheelchair she still is a dynamic teacher and sportswoman. Her accident has given her a new perspective on body awareness and access to muscle groups. Liz Ann lives independently and drives herself anywhere. Liz Ann teaches privately and at the Ridge Athletic Club. Learn more about her at www.bbalancepilates.com; contact info: 406-581-7117, lizannkudruna@yahoo.com. How did your accident happen? Pilates Teacher Liz Ann Kudrna I had plans to hike up to Elbow Lake and climb a hard route on Mt. Cowan with someone I did not know but trusted. I did have a tinge of intuition that said to me, Liz Ann, stay home. I did not listen and went forward. Another friend met us at the saddle on Mt. Cowan. At around 2:30 in the afternoon I wanted to go down. I was a slower hiker downhill and was taking some pictures. I realized my friends were getting pretty far ahead of me. I decided to lower myself down a little ledge to try to shortcut, instead of zigzagging the loose trail. Because the rock was very loose up there, the one that I pressed into to lower myself down a few feet released, right into me. It was a lot heavier than I. That was it. Its impact injured my spinal cord. I rag-dolled down the mountain until my friend Joe caught me. I knew right away that my life was changed, forever. My friend Leslie ran down the rugged 10 miles to cell service. Joe kept the sun off me and when the sun went down he made sure I was warm. Since the location was so steep, the first helicopter could not rescue me. I was rescued 18 hours later and flown to Billings. However, I can still recall the awesome sight of the full moon on the side of the rock face. DISTINCTLY MONTANA Gal 17 FALL | 2 0 1 3