Dy Zyw was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 18, while working as a sommelier and wine buyer in London. Initially misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, Zyw's disease progressed slowly but has lost most of the functionality in his hands and muscles in his upper body. He returned to snowboarding after his diagnosis, but ended up with two broken ribs after a heavy crash. Despite his illness, he remains optimistic about his future in the Winter Paralympic Games, despite finishing 19th in the banked slalom. The Fan Club at the Games has been out in force, flying British and Scottish flags and wearing blue beanies.