The sorm family

Little Bit Supporter and Participant Family

The Sorm family has always been an important part of the Little Bit community. Alena started riding at Little Bit when it first began and her father, Jiri, is still involved today as a donor.

Alena’s dad, Jiri Sorm, is an accomplished aircraft mechanic and engineer who is now retired. His specialized work on aircraft that had rough landings in icy conditions took him to Alaska and around the world. Born in Czechoslovakia, Jiri remembers when the Germans occupied his country and then later when it became a Soviet satellite state after the Communist takeover in 1948. After his primary and secondary education, he studied engineering and joined the Czechoslovakia Air Force. While shuttling planes back and forth across the country in1954, Jiri and the plane’s pilot lost an engine and were forced to land in a potato field in the American zone of southern Germany. Jiri always held a secret wish to come to the United States. Upon the landing, Jiri requested asylum in the United States. He never returned to his homeland and his family. After two years in Germany, Jiri immigrated to the United States. When he arrived in New York City he decided to move as far from there as possible and boarded a flight for Seattle. Retired now from his company, Jiri has decided to honor his wife and Alena by “giving back to Little Bit.” He remains a Little Bit donor today at the age of 94.

Alena’s mom, Peggy Sorm, loved all animals but was known for raising and training Newfoundland dogs--Suzi, Smooch, Bobby, Joe, and Sox. She was so very proud when Bobby won Best of Breed at both the 1996 Newfoundland National Dog Show and the 1997 Westminster Dog Show in New York City. Peggy passed away in April 2021 at the age of 84. Alena’s brother Bill passed shortly after their mother did.

Alena Sorm was Peggy and Jiri’s daughter. Alena was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation, Ataxia Telangiectasia at the age of five and could never brush her own teeth or comb her hair, but at age 13, she discovered her love of riding and passion for horses. She had always loved looking at the majestic creatures, but when she attended a camp and rode for the first time, Alena quickly found her passion. At around the same time, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center had just opened. When the Sorm family heard of Little Bit, they quickly signed up. Alena became very involved at Little Bit and rode as much as she could, many days a week, and quickly honed her skills.

One day, Alena came across a “for sale” sign for a property near Little Bit’s. She eagerly told her family, and after much thought and consideration, the Sorm family bought the property and built a custom home that was completely accessible for Alena. With the proximity to Little Bit, Alena would often go to her lessons by herself. In her motorized wheelchair, she would travel along the rocky Tolt Pipeline trail and a main road, where she would pass the Little Bit mailbox to get the mail each day on her way to her lessons. This trek was difficult and dangerous, and despite facing setbacks, Alena continued to make the trip to Little Bit, day after day.

Alena was a confident rider and loved the new perspective that riding brought her. She became a very talented western rider who competed in numerous horse shows. Riding helped improve her balance, physical strength, and her mental health. Her love and passion for riding were evident in all that she did at Little Bit. Alena’s presence at Little Bit always brought light and joy to her fellow riders and to the staff. Alena cared deeply about both the people and the horses that made Little Bit’s mission possible. Alena would even conduct Little Bit staff interviews to ensure that the new staff members would love Little Bit as much as she did. Alena loved the horses, particularly her horse, Tristan, and always made sure to have carrots in her pockets for them.

Alena rode until just a few weeks before her death at the age of 48. Today, her legacy lives on in the spirit of the staff, volunteers, and riders. Annually, staff members select from their peers the individual who embodies Alena’s love for Little Bit’s mission. Alena’s motto was “Never, Never, Never Quit,” and the award is named so in her memory.

Find more 50th anniversary stories HERE.