OAM 'validates' Paralympic snowboard gold

Courtesy Australian Associated Press

It doesn't compare to a drought-breaking Paralympic gold medal but snowboarder Simon Patmore's inclusion in the Queen's Birthday Honours holds a special place in his heart.

Patmore, 32, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to snowboarding after claiming gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics.

His triumph on the slopes of South Korea in the snowboard cross upper limb category ended Australia's barren 16-year run without winter Paralympic gold.

Adding to the milestone, it made him the first Australian man to win a medal at winter and summer Paralympics having snared bronze in athletics at London 2012.

Brisbane-based Patmore was "over the moon" when notified via email he would receive the OAM, with the honour putting his PyeongChang gold into perspective.

"It validates it," he told AAP.

"It's special in its own right. Those two moments are totally different.

"But it's only after the fact that you reflect and go 'oh my god, I won the gold medal two years ago. Geez, my life has changed a lot now'.

"To still get recognised for that achievement and outstanding performance, I know I did something special for Australia and for myself and my family."

After turning professional at age 22, Patmore quit athletics to take up snowboarding in 2014 despite having never been on a board before.

But he overcame his lack of experience to win gold and bronze in South Korea. Just as he has overcome Erb's palsy - a condition which paralysed the nerves in his left arm.

"When the opportunity arose, I jumped on it - literally," Patmore said of the switch to snowboarding.

"I just had the right attitude at the right time of my life to be able to pull something amazing off and get a gold medal."

He was completely unaware of the history that accompanied his momentous win in 2018 until his name was thrown up in lights.

"All I wanted to become was a summer and winter Paralympian, but to get the gold medal took it to another level."