Lois Kim and the art of balance

Like many 26-year-olds, Lois Kim’s days are a balancing act of study, work, and carving out time for her passion – snowboarding.

Unlike most of her peers, Lois uses a prosthetic leg. After being diagnosed with a grade 3* synovial sarcoma, Lois is still adjusting to life with her new limb following a left-leg amputation above the knee in October 2023.

The months that followed surgery were challenging. As well as adapting to life with one leg, Lois underwent six months of chemotherapy, frequent hospital visits, and experienced hair loss.

A turning point for Lois came when she attended a snow-based mobility clinic.

“Learning to snowboard at this clinic completely changed my life. Something clicked for me. I had my amputation less than a year earlier and then I was doing chemo for several months after that. I came out of this stretch of being in bed all the time and being tired and having so much trouble getting my prosthetic fitting. I was barely able to walk,” Lois said.

“Getting on the snowboard and being active again, seeing actual progress was so empowering, I felt strong. Snowboarding really gave me back movement in a way that felt deeply nostalgic, it showed me I can still play sport, be active and have fun, it left me really hopeful”

“I don’t think I can fully express how life changing it was. I walked away feeling possibility like I hadn’t felt in a long time, this was going to be my thing now, I fell completely in love with it” she said.

Lois credits Para Snowboarder Aaron McCarthy with helping her regain momentum.

“I don't know if he knows how influential he’s been to me,” Kim said.

“When I look at him, I see someone just a few years ahead of me, showing me what’s, possible. All I need to do is follow in his footsteps. He’s been crucial in showing me how limitless snowboarding is for people like me as well as helping me solve the practical side of equipment. And having someone I can turn to who will have the answers because he’s already doing it has only encouraged me and given me the confidence to keep going,” she said.

Lois attended Snow Australia’s Adaptive Festival in Perisher, where she connected with Para-Snowboard Head Coach Nickie Rodger and the Snow Australia Para Snowboard team.

“At the end of the festival, I got to try out a slalom course for the first time which was so much fun and it was at that point that I thought, oh I could actually do this,” she said.

Lois is now part of Snow Australia’s Emerging Talent Program, which has opened up training opportunities and connections with other athletes. She also received her SB-LL1 national classification.

“The opportunity to get classified nationally has made everything feel even more real. I’m excited for what’s ahead and all that is possible,” she said.

Away from the snow, Lois’s schedule remains demanding. On weekdays, she travels from Sydney to the Central Coast, where she is completing her penultimate year of a medicine degree and placement at Gosford Hospital.

“I am really grateful to have returned to the path of medicine and I’m committed to becoming a great doctor. But alongside medicine, I hope to continue snowboarding and make it to the 2030 Winter Paralympics. By then, I will have been six years cancer free, made it to medical training, and hopefully on my way to a podium finish”

Lois closed out the domestic season with a string of milestones, completing her first race, training through boardercross and slalom courses, and celebrating 1.5 years cancer-free, with recent scans confirming her remission. In the long-term, Lois aims to earn international classification and with momentum on her side, she’s now counting down to the northern hemisphere season, her debut international competitions and a chance to ride with her peers from around the world on the FIS Para SB Circuit. 

“My family have been the most amazing support that have launched me forward to embrace all these opportunities. Dad started skiing at 72 to support me on my snow trips. Mum supports me with every fibre of her being although she’s scared I’ll drop out of medicine and pursue snowboarding full-time. I have a twin sister who is my strongest advocate and cheerleader. She believed in me before I did, and she continues to be one of my biggest motivators”

With strong family support and growing connections in the snowsport community, Lois is now considering a bid for the 2030 Paralympic Games.

You can follow Lois’ journey on Instagram: @oneleglois

*or high grade - FNLCC system