Palmer monoskier sets great example for everyone

During my years with the Frontiersman, I’ve crossed paths with so many exceptional athletes.

Great players. Better people.

And when it’s all said and done, and I finally decide to hang up the notebook, if I were to make a list of my favorites, Andrew Kurka would be somewhere at the top.

Kurka — Palmer’s Paralympian and gold medal winner in monosking at the IPC Adaptive World Cup Finals in Colorado recently — has faced more than his fair share of obstacles during his 24 years of life. A promising wrestler, Kurka’s career on the mat was cut short by a devastating all-terrain vehicle accident when Kurka was 13 years old. But Kurka overcame those injuries, and parlayed the experience into an incredible career in another sport. Left handicapped by the injuries sustained in the ATV accident, Kurka ventured into the world of adaptive skiing. And now, Kurka is among the best in the world.

That’s pretty great for anyone. And that’s pretty awesome for a kid from small town Alaska forced to deal with adversity at an early age.

But that’s what’s great about Kurka. When it comes to positive disposition, Kurka is king. Hours after breaking his back during a training run prior to the 2014 Paralymipcs in Sochi, Kurka was photographed in his hospital bed giving the thumbs up.

Who does that?

Andrew Kurka.

I talked to him within days of the accident in Sochi. His positive demeanor was unbelievable.

But also inspiring.

I’ve interviewed players and coaches on average days after a midseason loss, and they acted like it was end of the world. But in this case, Kurka broke his back, and his positivity was glowing.

Who acts this way?

Andrew Kurka.

It’s incredible.

It also presents an tremendous message.

Cue the cliché: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

It’s true.

I’m the father of a wheelchair-bound daughter. Yes, there are areas where she’s hindered. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a personality that radiates.

Kurka faces his own obstacles. But his personality and actions shine.

Kurka, on an average day, makes his way about with help with crutches. But that doesn’t stop him from putting in hours at Country Legends 100.9, as a radio voice when he’s home in the Valley. That hasn’t stopped him from enjoying his hobbies, such as fishing. And that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of our country’s best paralympic athletes.

Kurka is an example for all. He’s broken his back multiple times. He’s broken his femur as well. But he continues to rebound. And throughout, Kurka has handled it all with a smile, and a positive attitude I admire.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bart at sports@frontiersman.com.