Adam Golebiewski, who lost both legs in a car crash, has found a new passion in skiing and hopes to compete at a future Paralympic Winter Games. The 20-year-old from Banff suffered the injuries when he was 17 in Macduff, Scotland, in September 2024.
A Life-Changing Accident
Golebiewski, a keen goalkeeper, was travelling home with friends after a night out when the collision happened. He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where medics told him he would need a double amputation below the knee. He celebrated his 18th birthday in hospital and spent three months in rehabilitation at Woodend Hospital before being fitted with prosthetics, according to the Daily Record.
Having played for North of Scotland side Deveronside, Adam has now found "freedom" in skiing. His coach believes he could compete at a future Paralympic Winter Games.
Finding Freedom on the Snow
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Adam said: "I don't actually think of my injuries when I'm on the board - I just forget that I have them. I just feel so free and I just forget about everything else."
Now a member of Huntly Nordic Ski Club, Adam is showing a flair for para-cross country skiing. He uses a special sit-ski with a board and wheels, which can be replaced by skis when training or competing on snow. Despite having no previous experience of the sport, Adam is now qualified to enter international competitions as a para biathlete, an event that includes cross-country skiing and shooting.
Training Abroad and Looking Ahead
Earlier this year, he travelled to America to train on snow and has also visited Italy and Germany. He added: "In Colorado, I didn't really know anybody and I was quite nervous to go and try it out, but once I was on the snow I was completely fine - even though I fell about 40 times. Then Italy, that was another good experience where I tried biathlon, which is skiing and shooting. The last trip I was recently on was Oberhof in Germany which was again just an improvement from the first time being away on snow, and I learned a lot more again."
Adam previously said he was "thankful and grateful" to be home and walking again for Christmas 2024, and he has gone from strength to strength since. Last year, he became a dad for the first time. He now hopes his story can be an inspiration to others in times of adversity. Adam added: "I think they should just give it a go because you never know what could happen. Since I've started skiing, I've loved every minute of it. I never knew any of this would happen so quickly. It's just given me a bit of freedom again."
Coach's Belief and the Driver's Sentencing
Simon Bate of Snowsport Scotland is Adam's coach, and as a result of his progress so far, he believes that competing at the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games in the French Alpes could be a realistic target. He said: "From when I first met him as an 18-year-old and he just had this real maturity and positive outlook. He's always been very very up for what we've suggested in terms of the training, he's really keen to work hard. He's definitely got the potential - and I think he's going to do well."
Arran Paterson admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, being over the drink-drive limit and driving without insurance following the crash on September 8 2024. He was sentenced to a total of 32 months detention at a young offenders' institution at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
