On Monday, April 16, The Orléans Lions Club commemorated legally-deaf and blind speed skater and Orléans resident Kevin Frost on their latest club pin at the Roy Hobbs Centre.

The appreciation comes at the heels of Frost's recent victory at the Regional and Masters Short Track Championships March 31 to April 1 in Kitchener-Waterloo. Competing against able-bodied skaters, Frost beat the field in his age division and finished third overall.

Frost, who has been a member of the Orléans Lions Club for about a year, is the group's youngest participant. He has worked closely with the local community on many occasions, including helping kids at the Orléans Recreational Complex. The Orléans Lions Club also helped sponsor and pay the costs associated with his guide dog, Nemo.

This community work and Frost's athletic accomplishments prompted the local club to usher in only their third pin in their 38 year existence.

"We wanted something different and we needed to have a new pin, it was timing," said Gerry Carisse, membership chairman of the Orléans Lions Club, adding an action photo of Frost during a competition was utilized for the pin.

Frost said he was honoured to be recognized by the club.

"This all is making me realize the endeavours I'm doing is making a difference in the community," he said from his home a few days before the ceremony. "This makes me continue pushing harder to where I'm going."

Frost's next goal is to make speed skating a demonstration sport at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games. The sport needs eight to 10 countries involved to make it a sanctioned sport. Canada, the United States, Australia, the Netherlands and Russia are amongst the countries known to be on board.

Frost has also recently received Olympic advice from both American gold medallist Shani Davis and Canadian multiple Olympic medallist Cindy Klassen. They recommended he focus on shoulder balance and weight transfer, which they deem as the key in speed skating.

Whether through word of mouth, media coverage or competitions, Frost is hoping fellow disabled persons are following his story, especially those in the Ottawa area. Whether it's by promoting a "disability week" to the provincial government or by eventually opening a foundation for disabled athletes, he hopes to get the word out by any means possible.

"Until that happens, I'm just going to keep doing what I have been doing," he said.

On May 12, the Lion's Club will also be holding a walkathon with Frost's cause in mind. The club will be sponsoring Frost for the 5 to 6 km walk, but other sponsors and groups are welcome. For more information, call 613-841-8664.