The Nayland College Institute of Sports students had the opportunity to participate in a virtual presentation by New Zealand Paralympian Corey Peters. This online presentation was organised by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

In September 2009 Corey sustained a crushed spinal cord at a motocross event. He spent four months in a Spinal Unit learning how to live life in a wheelchair. Adjusting to a new way of life was difficult but Corey remained determined to continue to live a fulfilled life and started sit-skiing in 2011.

Corey won a silver medal in his first Paralympics: the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, then took bronze in the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. Corey recently participated in the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, winning a gold medal and another silver medal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATeWGjJNpiQ

Corey now spends his Northern Hemisphere seasons training in Winter Park (USA) and travelling throughout Europe and North America for competitions. When he is home in New Zealand he splits his time between New Plymouth and training at Cardrona Alpine Resort and at the High-Performance Sport New Zealand/Snow Sports NZ Training Centre in Wānaka.

Quotes from students:

"I found it really inspiring and showed me never to give up no matter how hard things get." Will Alford

"Listening to Cory speak proved that with the right mindset you can get through any obstacle that stands in your way." Brock Cotton

"I found it very interesting that with the right mindset nothing can stand in your way he proved it with the story he told us." Tetarake Allan Kereopa

"Tough times never last, only tough people last." Lynkin Tamatea