The Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 9th launches the 23rd Winter games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The Winter Paralympics run March 9th - 18th, also in Pyeongchang.

Curtis Minard is a Para-snowboarder who originally comes from Weyburn and now lives in Vernon, B.C.

Minard is in the running to represent Canada in Para-Snowboarding at the Paralympics

"It's been a long and grueling process," explained Minard who has family and friends in Weyburn.

"I've been on this journey for the last couple of years, last year and this year are qualification years for being selected to the Paralympic Team Canada squad."

Minard said he got into snowboarding around 12 years ago.

In 2008, Minard suffered a tragic electric accident when he suffered from over 14,000 volts of electric shock through his body, with this hands being the point of contact. It was a workplace accident, three weeks into his new electrician job. His left hand had to be amputated and his right hand received 3rd-degree burns. Minard almost died three times in hospital in the first few weeks after the accident.

It took four years to recover.

"I was fortunate enough to save my left hand," said Minard

"It was one of the most horrific things that I could ever have dreamt of happening."

"Looking back nine years later, it is something that has pushed me to become a better person, a stronger person and help motivate others and set goals for myself, about pushing the limits, believing in oneself and putting disability out there and showing the world what we can do. Even though I am missing my left hand and have severe damage to my right hand a few other injuries, I can still do great things and push the limits."

Minard has had a successful snowboarding career so far having won gold in his first SPX games and had success in the NorAm cup. He also has had success in Snowboard world cups and championships.

In 2012, Minard played on the Canadian Amputee Hockey Team and won the World Championships in Finland.

Minard is currently training in the Arctic near Lapland with the Dew Tour in Colorado and snowboarding world cups on the way. 

Gavin Crawford (3)

Curtis Minard, Para-Snowboarder,  photo courtesy of Gavin Crawford, Submitted by Lawrence Vallerand