Jim Knowles of Re/Max Kamloops in Kamloops, B.C. took part in the Paralympics closing ceremonies recently, assisting disabled skier Pramod Thapa. Knowles is active with Sun Peaks Adaptive Sports, which helps people with disabilities learn to ski.

Thapa, a 17-year-old skier, has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects muscle co-ordination and body movement. He came with his parents to Kamloops last year from Nepal, says a story in the Kamloops Daily News.

Knowles told the Daily News that the Pramod family lives in a hotel room in Kamloops and Pramod’s activities and friendships have been limited by his command of English and physical disability. “I got a call from the school and they said ‘you’ve got to get this kid out of his hotel room,’” Knowles says.

With Knowles’ help, Thapa has progressed from skiing with a tether to skiing intermediate runs and parallel turning for slalom and giant slalom. Knowles said Thapa’s goal is to compete in the 2014 Paralympics Games in Sochi, Russia.

The Kamloops residents took part in a torchlight descent at Whistler that was filmed for broadcast in the Paralympics closing ceremonies.