October 26, 2008 (Canmore, AB) – At age 18 when Brian McKeever started to lose his sight, he thought his sports career was over. Fast forward to 10+ years later and with only 10% vision he is one of Canada’s top able-bodied distance ski racers and an Olympic hopeful.

“Brian wants to be the world’s first Paralympics athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics, and his goal is 2010 and Vancouver/Whistler.” writes Allan Maki in a Globe and Mail report. McKeever suffers from Stargardt’s disease, a genetic eye disorder that was passed along from both his grandfather and father. His older brother and Olympic Nordic competitor Robin does not have the gene associated with the disease and has acted as Brian’s guide.

Brian made history in 2007 when he became the first Canadian with a disability to ski at the Nordic World Championships where he placed 24th in the 15km skate race. For more on this story click here.