Four years ago Josh Hanlon was was an up-and-coming product of the GIANTS Academy, but following a triple amputation he is now preparing for his maiden Winter Paralympic Games.
Born and raised in Weethalle in the New South Wales central west, Hanlon progressed through the GIANTS Academy alongside fellow Riverina products Jacob Hopper, Harry Himmelberg, Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming, Zach Sproule and Matthew Flynn.
"For someone so fit, healthy and athletic to battle such a serious illness was a shock to everyone, it was devastating," Flynn said.
"To see him bounce back and now be on the world stage is beyond inspiring.
"I can’t wait to watch him and support him on the TV, even just to see him participate will be awesome and hopefully he can snag a medal."
Hanlon's journey from the GIANTS Academy program to Beijing began following a game of football.
"I played footy on the Saturday and then by Monday night I was crook as, so I drove myself to hospital," Hanlon told ABC News.
Within hours the 24-year-old was rushed to intensive care as a strep A bacterial infection caused his internal organs to begin shutting down.
"I was in an induced coma on and off for a couple of weeks. I just got brought in and out [of consciousness] to learn about amputations that were going to happen," he said.
"Once they got rid of the strep A infection it was more just damage control on what sepsis and everything had done to organs and extremities.
By the end of all the operations, Hanlon's right hand and both of his lower legs had been amputated.
The man affectionately known as "Chooka" said he had come to accept and relish the opportunity provided to him.
"It is hard to actually think about all the negatives, all we ever talk about is the funny stories and the positive stuff that came out of it," he said.
He said while sport played a major role in his recovery from the operations, the Paralympics was never on his mind.
"Sport has always been a huge part of my life, so nothing changed. When I got out of hospital I was always on the lookout for sports to try out and have a go," Hanlon said.
"I started out with wheelchair basketball on a Wednesday at Wagga and that has always been great fun. I still go there whenever I can."
Prior to his operation, Hanlon had only been skiing three times with his family.
But after being invited to a come-and-try day at Perisher his life changed again.
"The coach of the Australian team was an American who was at the trial and said 'go across to Park City in Utah and try out the program there'.
"I did that stint in the US and really got the hang of it, and the ball just hasn't stopped rolling from there."
Hanlon said teaching himself to walk again, let alone ski, was a constant battle.
"There were a lot of days just sitting at home not being able to walk, waiting for sores to heal," he said.
In January, Hanlon competed in his maiden Para Snow Sports World Championship in Norway.
He finished eighth in both the giant slalom and slalom events, where athletes can reach speeds of up to 100kph while manoeuvring between a series of gates.
As a result of his performances during the championship, Hanlon was selected for Australia's Paralympics squad, with his event on March 10.
"Throughout the season I've been ticking the boxes to be selected so it was a huge relief to get the message saying I made the team," he said.
"It didn't quite feel real until the announcement meeting."
"It's been such a crazy season. I've loved every second and I can't wait to finish it off at the Games."
