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At just 17 years old, Adam Golebiewski’s life changed dramatically following a car accident in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, in 2024. The crash, caused by a drink-driver, resulted in Adam needing a double below-knee amputation. Despite the severity of his injuries, Adam’s story is one of remarkable resilience and transformation. During his rehabilitation at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, where he spent three months recovering, he celebrated his 18th birthday and was fitted with prosthetic legs. Though his aspirations of becoming a professional goalkeeper were dashed, Adam found a new sense of purpose through an unexpected sport: para cross-country skiing.
Since the accident, Adam has not only become a father but has also made impressive strides in adaptive skiing. Training at the Nordic ski centre in Huntly, situated near the football fields where he once played junior football with Deveronside, he uses a sit-ski fitted with either wheels or skis depending on the terrain. Earlier this year, Adam traveled to the United States to train on snow for the first time, gaining valuable experience despite falling multiple times. He has now qualified to compete internationally in para biathlon, a sport combining cross-country skiing with shooting, and is setting his sights on World Cup events scheduled in Finland and Sweden within the next six months.
Reflecting on his journey, Adam shared how skiing has given him a sense of liberation: “I don’t actually think of my injuries when I’m on the board – I just forget that I have them.” He described initial nervousness during his training in Colorado but quickly found confidence once on the snow. Additional trips to Italy and Germany further developed his skills and sharpened his focus. His coach, Simon Bate from Snowsport Scotland, has praised Adam’s dedication and maturity, noting, “From when I first met him as an 18-year-old and he just had this real maturity and positive outlook… He’s always been very, very up for what we’ve suggested in terms of the training, he’s really keen to work hard.” Bate believes that Adam has the potential to compete in the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games.
The driving force behind Adam’s determination is not only personal progress but also a desire to inspire others facing hardships. Adam encourages people to try new challenges, saying, “I think they should just give it a go because you never know what could happen. Since I’ve started skiing, I’ve loved every minute of it. I never knew any of this would happen so quickly. It’s just given me a bit of freedom again.” Meanwhile, the drink-driver responsible for the collision, 19-year-old Arran Paterson, received a 32-month prison sentence, driving disqualification for more than five years, and admitted to charges including causing serious injury by dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit and driving without insurance. The collision also seriously injured two other teenagers who were in the vehicle at the time
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