Some people lead. Others follow. People like Kevin Frost chart entirely new courses.

And with a name like Frost, it seems appropriate that the path he's leading is on the ice, as a speed skater.

In less than a year, from the time Orléans sports fixture André Lacroix first suggested we tell you Frost's story, the Usher's Syndrome sufferer has gone from an unknown to a source of inspiration for speed skaters everywhere.

There are legally blind speed skaters. There are legally deaf speed skaters. But few have successfully taken both challenges in hand and pushed the sport in an entirely new direction.

When he was first diagnosed with 10 per cent vision and hearing, Frost, a former grocery chain warehouse worker, went from self-professed workaholic to bored in the space of a single doctor's visit. Rather than sit around the house doing nothing, the father of three took up speed skating.

Frost has adopted his new sport with a vengeance. He has already won medals this year, his first season, and been made an honourary member of a Seaway Valley skating club after a single visit.

His coaches' ultimate goal is to get him into good enough shape to skate in the Winter Olympics. Right now, the sport isn't even on the list for the Winter Paralympics, so there are still a few doors to open in the years ahead.

Frost's supporters are also trying to make headway with speed skating officials to have small changes made, like changing the colour of course markers from black to orange so they're more visible.

They have already convinced race officials to wave a flag when Frost is competing, to signify the final lap. Most races use a bell - something he can't hear - to tell athletes to pick up the pace.

Frost has also become more than just a competitor at skating events. He has become an ambassador for the sport, winning the sports ambassador award at a recent banquet for the disabled.

He's also taught former Montreal Canadiens goalie-turned Member of Parliament Ken Dryden a thing or two about life with a disability.

The federal cabinet minister was partnered up with Frost for an hour in December to discuss issues, among them, issues affecting the disabled community.

"I can't believe you do short track speed skating," Dryden said to Frost following their hour-long skate at the Earl Armstrong Arena. "It seems like such a complete crap shoot."

Daring to be different while remaining a good and genuinely nice person qualifies Kevin Frost, in our books, as 2004's east-end News Maker of the Year.