Chelaine McInroy had had four spinal operations and two orthopedic operations by age 16. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail/John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)
Brad Lennae, right, and his student, Chelaine McInroy, make their way to the chair lift on Dec. 9, 2011. Mr. Lennae, a Paralympic skier, coaches with the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program, a not-for-profit society that provides recreational programs for people with disabilities. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail/John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)
Chelaine McInroy, a 17-year-old from Armstrong, B.C., who was born with spina bifida, races down a slalom course at Whistler on Dec. 11, 2011. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail/John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)
Chelaine McInroy, left, a 17-year-old born with spina bifida, makes her way up the chair lift at Whistler, B.C., on Dec. 11, 2011. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail/John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)
Paralympic skier Brad Lennae gets ready to coach Chelaine McInroy at Whistler, B.C., on Dec. 9, 2011. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail/John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)