Chris Orr turns blindness into winning a silver medal at the 1984 Winter Paralympics

What started out as a past-time joining a gym with his friend, turned into achieving one of the most prestigious medals in the world.

Chris Orr had always loved competitive sports and when he lost his sight at the age of 21, he was keen to get back out there.

He joined a gym with his friend. Next thing you know, Chris is running the first ever blind marathon in Vancouver in 1984.

Soon after, he turned his attention to the snow where he picked up skiing. Very quickly, training turned serious and he ended up winning a silver medal at the 1984 Winter Paralympics in Austria for downhill alpine skiing. This was New Zealand’s first ever medal winning kiwi Paralympic team – a historical moment.

Chris explains that skiing with low vision requires excellent communication between the skier and the guide.

To navigate the slopes, Chris had a transistor radio, and his guide had a microphone through which he gave directions – this involved an extremely high level in trust and intuition.

Of course, they practiced on the course before the race so they knew it like the backs of their hands.

Chris says that the main obstacle he had to overcome was pre-race nerves, which he would soothe with an ice-cold beer with his companion and guide, Roger Mcgarry.

“I skied like I had never skied before after that” Chris recalls.

Nowadays, Chris uses his life experience in advocating for blind, deafblind and low vision people at Blind Low Vision NZ as an Access and Awareness Advisor.

Chris says “The most amazing people have been blind”

“Each person’s experience of being blind is unique to them”

Chris has spent years working with blind people and watching how they change through learning techniques and eventually growing in confidence.

“Blind is being comfortable with who and what you are” Chris says.