Hi, I'm Michael. I’ve represented Australia at six Paralympic Games — five as a skier and one as a cyclist — and won 11 Paralympic medals, six of them gold. At the 2002 Salt Lake Games, I won all four gold medals in four events. I raced again at the 2006 Torino Games, won silver, and retired after 18 unforgettable years competing at the highest level.

After hanging up the race suit, I married my incredible wife, and together we welcomed our daughter, Matilda. Life was good — until, when Matilda was just one, I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. I’d already lost my leg to bone cancer at nine, but this time it hit harder. I wasn’t just fighting for me — I was fighting to be a dad.

When treatment ended, I did what I’ve always done: set big goals. I ran a marathon on crutches, completed a 50km ultra marathon, made the Australian para-triathlon and cycling teams, competed at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and walked the Kokoda Track. I told you I am all about the big goals!

Then, two years ago, cancer came for me again — bowel cancer this time. More surgeries, more down-time, more recovery. Earlier this year, I set out to ski-tour the Haute Route, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. On day one, I fell and broke my femur in my stump. Back to square one.

Recovery was tough, but when I got back on skis at Thredbo this last winter, something clicked. I remembered how much I love ski racing. I raced at the National Chamionships partly for fun but also to test myself. I won both events and felt pretty solid. That’s when I decided: I’m making a comeback.

I'm 52, I'm an amputee and I’m a three-time cancer survivor chasing one last Paralympic dream. I’ve already qualified in Giant Slalom, but to secure a place on the Australian team I need to train and race in Europe this November/December.

I’ve learned that life is short — and it’s not about how many years you get, but what you do with them. This is my next big challenge.

If you can help me get there, I’ll do the rest.