Curtis’ journey from injury to Paralympic gold

And that’s what he will be trying to do when he connects with the audience at the 17th annual Community Living and Respite Services fundraising dinner at Moama Bowling Club on February 27.

This is the guy who, barely 20 minutes after having his legs blown off by an IED in Afghanistan in 2012, told the medevac crew simply trying to save his life that he was okay — and he would see them at the Paralympics.

Which is exactly what he did.

But no, he doesn’t expect everyone to achieve at that standard; however, he does want everyone to hear his message about how you can overcome, especially with all the support that is available.

“That’s what is so good about CLRS — it is not about marginalising, it is about doing everything it can to mainstream people, to give them independence and the integrity of achievement at whatever level,” Mr McGrath said.

“With its mix of community support, a dedicated staff, donations and a healthy dose of can-do, CLRS through its housing projects and other work is the perfect example of the message I try and deliver through my own story.

“It is keeping locals in their community, not shipping them off to bigger cities where there might be the facilities required — that’s what I am all about.”

Mr McGrath does not do many public speaking engagements, rarely more than 10 to 15 a year, but for groups such as CLRS he will always be there.

He said being given the chance to tell how he overcame the loss of both legs (one at the knee and one below) to become a world and Paralympic gold medal athlete let him help people understand their opportunities and options.

“There are many people with many different disabilities, no-one is the same, but I like to be able to explain what happens behind the scenes, the back story of how the people we see raise their arms in triumph at the end of the race actually got to the starting line,” Mr McGrath said.

“I want to think anyone with a disability, young or old, can hear what I say, I mean really hear, that there are ways they can change their futures, that with the right support, the right attitude and the right approach they have choices.

“Look at the Paralympics, in recent years interest in and awareness of these events has soared, and that’s a positive for every disabled person in the world.’’

With gold medals at three successive Paralympics and eight world championships (and a smattering of silver and bronze) the paracanoeist is pretty determined he’s got enough in him to go around one more time — at Los Angeles in 2028. Although he concedes that’s still a fair way down the track.

But his last event at Paris still rankles — he regards a fourth place as about the worst spot you can finish in any race.

Whether he makes the Los Angeles team is still to be decided.

What he does know now is he has no aspirations to coach in the years ahead.

As a board member of Paralympics Australia he sees a future in sport administration, working behind the scenes to ensure the future of the Games and the opportunity for every disabled Australian.

He even has a dream the Olympics and Paralympics can draw even closer. Logistically a shared event might be a step too big, but there is way too much synergy for there not to be more, much closer, partnerships down the track.

Born in New Zealand and raised both sides of the Tasman, back and forth, he was an over-enthusiastic white-water canoeist, rugby player and swimmer.

He joined the Australian Army as a combat engineer in 2006 (although he wanted to be a pilot) and six years later was critically injured in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province.

Apart from losing his left leg below the knee and his right leg at the knee, he also had shattered bones in his wrist, a burnt left arm, perforated ear drums and large wound at the back of his thigh.

Within three months he was walking on prosthetic legs.

And within a few more years was conquering the sporting world.

He signalled his arrival on the sporting stage with his first disability sport experience at the US Marine Games, where he helped himself to three gold medals — in swimming.

In September 2014, he captained the Australian team at the inaugural Invictus Games in London, winning bronze in swimming and making the archery final.

Two years later he switched to canoeing — and the rest is history.

Get your ticket to hear this amazing story of triumph and help this amazing community organisation at trybooking.com/CVFQK or call Gillian Noelker at CLRS on 5480 2388. There will also be raffles and auctions on the night.