Belarus at the 2018 Winter Paralympics
Vauchock has a disability because she fell off a dormitory roof.  The fall broke her back.  Before the accident, she was involved in athletics.  Vauchock did like skiing while she was at school.  She thought she got more mileage out of running than skiing.  Vauchock started skiing after the accident because others encouraged her to try the sport. She says skiing gives her a sense of freedom and speed.  It makes her feel independent and allows her to connect with nature.  The snow is not a hindrance, but a route to freedom. Volchek does not like attention that competing gives her.  She went to Sochi with only her older brother accompanying her. While many people in Belarus were happy with her fifth-place finish in Sochi, she cried as the result was not what she wanted.  While there are many challenges and many places in Minsk are not barrier free, she is not sad about the accident that resulted in her needing to use a wheelchair.  Without the accident happening, she does not think she would have become an elite sportsperson.