It was a beautiful day in the mountains, when Sean turned onto a marked run, hit a build up of wet snow, was ejected from his bindings and javelined head first into the hard pack.
Sean crushed his T8 vertebrae, causing spinal cord damage and paralysis. The x-ray horrific, his close friends in tears, saying how would he cope?
Teaching Pilots to Ski had left him in a wheelchair for life. But what a life he's lived since.
From day one he would never accept the word 'can't'. As an RAF Physical Training Instructor he had always pushed others to achieve beyond their dreams, now it was Sean's turn. He had no choice; he had to grasp life by the throat. He retired last year as Britain's most successful alpine ski racer. Double Winter Paralympian - Vancouver 2010 and Turin 2006. Britain's first World Cup Gold Downhill Skier, Winter XGames medalist, 3x World Disabled Water Ski Champion and adventurer looking to SnowKite across the largest glacier in Europe, Apr 2014.
His achievements and death defying antics inspire thousands. Changing your own life is easy but Sean has taken on the role of inspiring others to break their own self-inflicted boundaries. "Life doesn't have to end when you're in a Wheelchair or have other conditions or issues. It ends if you give up!"
Grab Sean and inspire the lives of your audience, there will be tears and cheers. He will bring humor to the tragedy, he will lift aspiration and challenge everybody in the room to raise their sights, achieve abnormal goals and settle only for the best you can be. He will not allow people to live in a dream world, but if you're passionate about something then make your dreams a reality!
"Sean was invited to give an inspirational speech at our high value event in Windsor Castle. Sean was sensitive, confident, determined, focused and enthralled the audience with his personal journey. Humorous and real, our customers were able to relate to his journey and his achievement of personal goals. We were taller because he gave us the chance to listen. We greet tomorrow and the rest of our lives restored by his strength and vision for himself and his young family. The only downside is that you weren't there to hear it."
Roy Newey
Non Executive Director at Pitman Training Group Ltd. Chairman - asaleader.com, Chairman - Mustard Reach, CEO - Roy Newey Ltd + many more Chairman, Non Exec, advisory, board member and consultant roles
"I had the privilege of listening to Sean speak at a private dinner in March 2013. He shared his remarkable journey; from Physical Training Instructor in the RAF to breaking his back and going on to become a world class athlete, husband and father against all the odds. What inspired me most was Sean's attitude to life and his unwavering focus on doing what you love. Sean isn't your typical motivational speaker - and that's a good thing. He's a very unassuming all round good guy who is simply going out and making the most of all that life has to offer. If you ever get the chance to work with Sean take full advantage, you won't be disappointed."
Alan Thornburrow
CEO Scottish Investment Operations / Vice Chairman Scotland Career Academies
'I saw Sean being interviewed on television at the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver and was struck by the passion with which he spoke about his sport. I posted an invitation for him to visit our sports mad boys at Haslemere Prep School and was delighted that he agreed to be our guest speaker at Speech Day. What was amazing was how he not only showed the same passion in his speech but managed to connect with and inspire everyone in the hall, from the four year olds to the grandparents. This is a rare gift and one born from an amazing life story to tell.'
Patrick Wenham
Headmaster, Haslemere Preparatory School, Surrey
As an ambassador for Wings for Life we regularly ask Sean to talk at our events. No matter the type of event Sean always shapes his presentation to fit. He tells his story with such honesty, great humour and total humility. Always with a bit of punch and tonnes of passion. I always get people saying to me 'Sean's amazing - so inspirational' and they're absolutely right.
Nikki Wilson
Head of Wings for life UK
Sean Rose
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…