Sean’s Story: Give Everything a Go
7 October 2026
Meet Sean
- Back Up volunteer and course participant
- Winter Paralympian in alpine skiing
- Sports TV broadcaster and speaker
Sean Rose is a Winter Paralympian, sports TV broadcaster and Back Up volunteer. But when he sustained a spinal cord injury while teaching RAF pilots to ski, the future looked very different.
At the time, Sean was serving in the RAF and working as a Physical Training Instructor. He had spent years leading expeditions, climbing, sailing and teaching others outdoor skills.
“I loved it. I was getting paid to play sport and adventure train for a living,” Sean said.
While teaching a group of RAF pilots to ski in Germany, Sean experienced a fall that caused him to sustain a spinal cord injury.
The road ahead was uncertain. But even in those early days, Sean was already thinking about what might still be possible.
After surgery, a consultant explained that he might spend the rest of his life using a wheelchair. Sean’s response surprised everyone.
“I asked for a pen and paper because I wanted to write a list of things I thought I could still do.”
Finding a way forward
As Sean adjusted to life after injury, he was introduced to Back Up.
One of the experiences that made the biggest difference was joining a Back Up ski course, where he met other people who showed him what was possible after injury.
The course offered more than the chance to get back on the slopes. It gave Sean the opportunity to build confidence, make lasting friendships and start imagining what the future could look like.
“It was regeneration. It was regaining my independence and getting that dignity back by feeling that I could do things rather than couldn’t. Back Up was quite an instigator in that in the early days.”
Sean describes the course as a springboard.
The conversations, friendships and shared experiences helped him realise that life after injury could still be full of adventure, challenge and opportunity.
“Give everything a go. You’ll never know what you like or what you’re good at until you try.”
From learner to Paralympian
The confidence Sean gained after injury led him to try new things and push himself further.
He went on to compete internationally in alpine skiing, representing Great Britain on the world stage.
Sean raced at the Winter Paralympic Games in Turin in 2006 and Vancouver in 2010, spending years training and competing at the highest level.
Looking back, Sean says the medals and results only tell part of the story.
“It was always about the journey, what I learned and the life lessons along the way.”
A community that lasts
The Back Up community has remained an important part of Sean’s life.
Over the years, he has volunteered on courses, supported others and built friendships that continue decades later. He also met his wife, Liana, through Back Up.
For Sean, that sense of connection is one of Back Up’s greatest strengths.
Whether it is building friendships, sharing experiences or meeting people who truly understand life with a spinal cord injury, those relationships can have a lasting impact.
Looking ahead
Today, Sean continues to embrace new challenges.
Alongside his work as a speaker, he has built a successful career in sports television broadcasting, working at multiple Paralympic Games, most recently with Channel 4.
Looking back, Sean believes that trying new things, connecting with others and being open to opportunities helped shape the life he has today.
It’s a message he continues to share through his broadcasting work, public speaking and volunteering with Back Up.
His advice for anyone adjusting to life after spinal cord injury remains simple:
“Give everything a go. Talk to people. Get stuck in. You’ll find something you love and achieve some amazing things.”
