Just when you think sport cannot at times inspire and astound any more, along comes Edinburgh snowboarder Davy Zyw who is aiming to become the first athlete with the life limiting Motor Neuron Disease (MND) to compete in a winter paralympics in snowports.
Edinburgh-based Davy, 38, is on a tight schedule with the winter games opening in the Italian resort of Milan-Cortina on 8 March and qualification is still to be achieved.
But David believes a jaw dropping feat that would put MND further into public consciousness IS possible as he battles both gradual muscle weakness and fellow competitors.
A former competitive snowboarder, Davy was diagnosed with MND in 2018. He is currently racing on the international para-snowboard circuit, and training alongside Team GB athletes as he chases the final results needed to keep his Paralympic bid alive.
The term “history-making” is often glibly thrown around in sporting circles but for once the term is wholly appropriate, surely?
If successful he would be the first UK Paralympian with MND in any sport, and the first alpine snowsports athlete with the disease anywhere in the world.
David says qualifying for Milan–Cortina would be “almost unimaginable”.
“It keeps me up at night and gets me up in the morning. To become the first person with MND on the Paralympic stage, wouldn’t just be my achievement – it would be for the whole MND community.”
After receiving medical clearance last year to compete, Zyw has travelled across Europe and North America to race against full-time professional para athletes – many of whom have spent years preparing specifically for the 2026 Games.
In the past few months he has taken podium finishes in Finland and the Netherlands, moved to within 0.4 seconds of medal pace, and climbed to fourth in the Europa Cup rankings.
“This time last year it was a rogue dream,” he said. “Now I’m a contender. I’m improving all the time – and that’s something I never expected to see after being told I had MND.”
To have a chance of qualifying Davy must podium at upcoming races in Switzerland and Austria, performances that would secure invitations to next-tier events and potentially the World Cup races in Canada. Only from there can he earn enough ranking points to reach the Paralympics.
MND is a progressive disease that destroys nerve cells responsible for muscle movement. For Zyw, it affects his hands, arms and torso, causing muscle wastage, severe fatigue, cramping and loss of dexterity.
“I can rip down a snowboard cross course at full speed,” he said, “but I need help putting my gloves on, or zipping up my jacket . That’s the reality of my MND – I am focussing on what I can do, rather on what I can’t.”
Zyw travels with physiotherapists and coaches who understand the condition, managing the risk of muscle lock-ups in freezing temperatures. But he says competition is also a rare escape.
“On the mountain, there’s no sympathy. None of the everyday baggage of MND. When the helmet goes on, we’re all just athletes – and that feeling gives me a new life.”
Zyw says the biggest challenge is time – both the time needed to travel and compete, and the limited time he knows he has left.
He has spent weeks abroad this season, supported by his wife Yvie and their young sons at home in Edinburgh.
“My wee boy keeps asking what medals I’m bringing home,” he said. “Being away from them is the hardest part by far. When you’re living with MND, every day with your family is priceless. That sacrifice weighs heavily – but that’s how much this dream means.”
Zyw grew up snowboarding at Hillend, competing in freestyle disciplines with sponsorship support before a knee injury ended his competitive hopes.
“MND brought me back to snowboarding,” he said. “It’s given me freedom again – something that takes me far away from the dark places this disease can take you.”
Until Zyw reaches World Cup level, the bid is almost entirely self-funded. His twin brother Tommy travels with him, and he has received support from crowdfunding and from his employer, Berry Bros. & Rudd, wine and spirit merchants, whose support and philanthropic work has raised more than £700,000 for MND causes.
Zyw is also urging people to support Doddie Aid, the annual January challenge founded by former Scotland Rugby Captain Rob Wainwright, a close friend and former teammate of rugby legend Doddie Weir whose death from MND occurred in November, 2022.
Participants log miles through walking, running, cycling or any activity to raise funds for MND research.
“January can be a dark month” says David, adding: “Doddie Aid gets you moving, connects you with others, and raises millions for the people who need it. Everyone should sign up – pay £20, get a snood to keep your chin warm, and join a community doing something brilliant.”
He added: “MND is not incurable – it’s underfunded. Every mile logged is a step towards changing that. I’ll be doing mine on the slopes, but I’d encourage everybody to take part in their own way.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “Davy’s ability to overcome the limitations of his MND to achieve amazing things continue to astound everybody. If he is able to achieve his dream of becoming the first person with MND to compete at the Winter Paralympics it will be a huge statement for him, and the MND community. Of course, it’s not possible for everybody with the disease to compete at this level, but hopefully Davy can be seen as an inspiration. He continues to put MND in the spotlight, and remind us all how important it is to find effective treatments, and one day a cure, for this terrible illness.”
Zyw admits qualifying remains a long shot. But he says that is exactly why he must try.
“I thought I wouldn’t even be here within two years of diagnosis, and now I’m racing for a Paralympic place. This disease has taken so much, but it’s also given me one last chance to live the dream I had as a kid.
“If I can get to the Paralympics, it will put MND on the global stage. I owe it to everyone living with it. I owe it to my family. And I owe it to the kid who grew up at Hillend thinking anything was possible.”
To sign up for Doddie Aid, visit doddieaid.com
