Frost faces fundraising challenges for Russia event

Frost has finally been granted the first part of that dream with an invitation to a competition in Russia, but whether he’ll actually be able to attend is in limbo. “One of my biggest hurdles will be to get funding for this event in a short amount of time,” says Frost, who learned recently the event has been moved up three weeks to Nov. 23-25. “You have to go within your means – if you don’t have the money, you can’t go. But you never know – funny things happen.”

The 42-year-old who suffers from Usher’s Syndrome, a degenerative condition that gradually reduces his sight and hearing, first heard about the competition in Chelyabinsk when he met a Russian coach last year in Vancouver for an international Masters event.

The coach explained they would be holding a national championship for visually-impaired speedskaters, with 50 to 60 entrants, and would love to have Frost join them.

The idea is to hold the event over the next three years with the end goal of being included in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi as a demonstration sport, which doesn’t require the same stringent standards on international participation as a full-medal Paralympic sport since the organizing committee can stage whichever events it wishes.

Another challenge for Frost getting to Russia will be getting a visa in time, since Russian rules are different than any other time he’s travelled internationally. For example, he needs an official invitation before he can apply.

Frost has also devoted much of his time recently to get behind fundraising efforts for Lisa Cater, a St. Matthew Catholic High School student with a brain tumour who recently visited at a U.S. clinic where it is hoped they will discover the reason behind her constant headaches and vision problems.

The local speedskater donated some of his own fundraising proceeds towards paying for the costs of Cater’s trip, and helped organize other events that culminated in two gentlemen approaching Frost and then Cater to say they’d like to cover whatever remaining costs the family has.

Cater’s mother expressed gratitude for his efforts, Frost recounts, and then said they need to focus on meeting his speedskating fundraising goal of between $5,000-$6,000, of which Frost currently has a quarter. “I said, ‘No. You have a more important issue to deal with right now,’” Frost says. “If I’m meant to go to Russia, I’ll go. If not, it’ll be the next year.”

Regardless of whether he meets his fundraising goal, Frost plans to compete in the Canadian Masters Championships in Ste.-Foy, Que. in January, and train hard to get below the 40-second mark in the 500 metres to prepare for future years when he’ll get to compete with other visually-impaired athletes. “I’ve been trying for the last seven years to get this event and now all the pieces are starting to fit together,” Frost smiles. “It’ll be awesome. It’ll be nice to know who else is in the same boat, what they do for their training, and where I am world ranking-wise. Who knows? I might go there and be the slowest, or I might go there and be the world record breaker.” For more information, visit deafblindspeedskater.com