It's nearly spring, but the fast pace fun on the snow and ice isn't over yet, the world's best Paralympic athletes are in South Korea right now competing.
And to help support the athletes Seattle Children's sent one of their best too, orthopedics and sports doctor Kyle Nagle is volunteering for his second time around as the Nordic ski team physician.
Coming from a family that had him on cross country skies as soon as he could walk, Kyle loves the snow.
“Nordic skiing, I’ve done it all my life, my parents tell me stories of skiing when I was so young I can’t remember them,” says Kyle.
As an associate professor of pediatrics at Seattle Children’s he’s a busy guy but says every chance he gets, he’s in the mountains.
“One of the things I really like about skiing is it’s almost like flying across the snow. It’s incredibly graceful. Kind of a dance,” explains Kyle.
And he knows lots of different steps, performing most often on dry land at work and also in South Korea in Peyongchang, assisting the top Paralympic Nordic skiers in the country.
“I do multiple things. Obviously, I take care of any health issues that come up, there are always medical things that happen, whether it’s acute injuries, sometimes it can be bumps and bruises, it can be strains, sprains,” explains Kyle.
With fifteen skiers competing in multiple races including the biathlon keeping athletes fit and healthy takes skill and compassion.
“I think at a base level for Paralympic they’re just incredible athletes, regardless of the impairment they may have. They are phenomenal athletes.
So, I think that’s one thing that really struck me when I started working with them is that sometimes it’s not what they are overcoming; they are phenomenal athletes. What they are able to do with their body in whatever form it is, is just unbelievable and then you start being like, Oh, my gosh, could I sit down and not use my legs at all and ski up this hill, and not only ski up it but ski up it fast? Then it is like holy cow I can’t even do that,” Kyle said.
As you listen to Kyle talk, you’ll soon realize the enormous respect he has for the Paralympic athletes, and he hopes that those of us watching and cheering from home will find inspiration for our own lives, maybe even join him out on the snow.
“I think it’s really important that we all try and we all to get out and get some exercise. And the best part about this is I think it’s super fun, your outside; you're not just going to the gym and running on the treadmill. It’s a hidden gem and an amazing thing for Seattleites. Just drive over the crest and great blue skies and not that far away from town,” said Kyle.
He’s living his dream, at work, at play, and in South Korea.
