Davy Zyw makes Winter Paralympic history eight years after MND diagnosis
British snowboarder Davy Zyw has made history as the first athlete with motor neurone disease to compete at a Winter Paralympics, taking to the slopes in Cortina nearly eight years after his terminal diagnosis.
Taking his place in the snowboard cross start gate on Sunday, the Scottish athlete stood as the ultimate symbol of defiance against adversity.
Surrounded by the rugged landscape of the Italian Dolomites, the history-maker was never expected to reach this elite stage.
Diagnosed with the devastating neurological condition at the age of 30, the former London sommelier was initially told he had just 18 months to live.
Defying medical expectations
Seven years later, the courageous competitor has shattered all medical projections to reach the pinnacle of winter parasports.
“The outlook can look pretty bleak, my health is going one way,” he told BBC Sport.
“I look at my health like I’m sliding down an icy slope and I’ve got to run up the other way just to maintain strength, maintain my function.”
“But the pride, the positivity, the memories, the strength, the resilience I’ll take from this Paralympic experience is going to fortify the rest of my life.”
Currently, a third of those diagnosed with the incurable disease die within a year, while half pass away within two years.
Controlling the narrative through sport
Although the 37-year-old’s condition has progressed slower than average, he has lost significant functionality in his hands alongside upper body muscle wasting.
Returning to the snow provided a vital lifeline in the dark aftermath of his initial prognosis.
Having learned his craft on an Edinburgh dry slope as a child, the freestyle specialist had competed regularly until an earlier knee injury halted his progress.
“I learned very quickly that the only aspect of this diagnosis in my control is my attitude towards it.”
“I couldn’t affect how quickly the disease was going to manifest itself, how quickly I was going to fall off a cliff, how quickly I was going to lose motor functions.”
“When I held on to that positive message, every day became easier and that’s what I’ve done every day since.”
Family support and a painful finale
A dedicated support group tracked the British star across the Italian Alps, flying Scottish flags and wearing custom blue beanies to celebrate his achievement.
His wife Yvie and four-year-old son Aleksander cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines as he navigated the demanding course.
“When I’m unable to snowboard, looking back at my runs from the Paralympics when I turned up, despite my injuries and my disease, that is something I’ll cherish and hold on to.”
Unfortunately, his monumental Paralympic debut concluded abruptly with a trip to the hospital after sustaining two broken ribs during a crash.
