Mark Soyer

Listening to music, mountain biking, kayaking, watching Grand Prix motorcycle racing. (Facebook page, 07 Aug 2020; paralympic.org.au, 31 Jan 2017)

Competing at the world championships in 2015 and 2017. (paralympic.org.au, 31 Jan 2017)

US musician Dave Grohl. (paralympic.org.au, 31 Jan 2017)

He dislocated his shoulder, fractured his collarbone and broke 12 ribs after falling at the 2017 World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy. He underwent surgery and was sidelined for five months. (Mark's hopes for the Slopes Facebook event, 02 Oct 2017; paralympic.org.au, 31 Jan 2017)

"It’s only your own ability that stops you. You pretty much lose your disability when you get in your sit ski." (skyhidailynews.com, 17 Feb 2015)

In 2016 he was named Disabled Wintersport Australia's inaugural Simon Lo Schiavo Volunteer of the Year. (paralympic.org.au, 31 Jan 2017)

He was the Australian flag bearer at the 2015 World Championships in Panorama, BC, Canada. (riverineherald.com.au, 09 Sep 2017)

In late 2004 he was working on the family farm in Chesney Vale, VIC, Australia, when the motorcycle he was riding hit a log concealed in the grass. He fell and severed his spinal cord, resulting in paraplegia. He was in hospital for five months. (abc.net.au, 04 May 2016; heraldsun.com.au, 13 Aug 2007)

OCCUPATION
He has worked as a jeweller, having completed a three-year degree in gemmology at the Gemmological Association of Australia in 2001. (paralympic.org.au, 31 Jan 2017)

CHILDHOOD ILLNESS
At age three he was diagnosed with leukaemia and given a 40% chance of survival. After a three-year battle he was declared to be in remission. He relapsed at age eight, and recovered a second time. (sheppadviser.com.au, 08 Oct 2014)

VOLUNTEERING
He has volunteered as a ski guide for Disabled Wintersport Australia, helping to teach people with both physical and mental impairments how to ski. (theage.com.au, 13 May 2012)