Chris’ Story
Four years before he was born, Chris was destined to be an incredible, disciplined athlete. His father competed at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games in the sport of speed skating. But there was one thing that could have stood in the way: Chris has macular degeneration caused by Toxoplasmosis. He was told he would be totally blind by his late teens but, now into his early thirties, he has six per cent vision. “I can honestly say that everything I see is a bonus,” says Chris.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he competed at the 1987 Canada Winter Games in speed skating. His father was the provincial speed skating coach as well as a manager of a small ski hill. Two years after the Canada Games, Chris broke his leg and then his ankle. “This was a hint for me to retire from skating. I continued with high school sports such as football, basketball and soccer.”
During his first year of college, his uncle, who had run ski shops most of Chris’ life, convinced him to ski race in a Masters series. He had been skiing as a family activity since he was three but had not done any serious racing. While racing he was introduced to a gentleman who was a board member of Canadian Association for Disabled skiers (CADS). “He told me about the Paralympics as well as disabled ski racing in general. I was hard into study and did not pursue ski racing until after University. Once I finished University I looked into disabled skiing and from that moment it has been a huge part of my life.”
“Sport throughout my life has always been a balancing point, the one thing I had confidence in myself. I knew that unless the person already knew I was disabled, they would have never known. I have been able to do many sports better than most people and this has made me blend in easily with those around me in whatever sport I have been involved in. That plus I really love the feeling of speed.”
Chris’ most memorable sporting moment was winning the Gold medal in Slalom at the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympics on the last day of the Games. “This occurred after I had tore my knee the day before Opening Ceremonies. I went from the worst day of my life to one of the best in one competition. The feeling was just amazing to reach the pinnacle of your sport in one moment and have my family and friends there to share it with me was just the icing on the cake.”
Whether you are disabled or not, Chris believes we all have skills (special gifts) that make our lives productive.
Chris is a proud father and husband. When not competing on the slopes, Chris spends spare time on the board of directors for a local senior centre.
