as in extreme board sports in particular. By this approach, and aided by the foundation's volunteers, she wanted to make a positive contribution to the mental and physical development of physically disabled people. In that year, she also coached para-athlete Fleur Jong during her rehabilitation after a leg amputation. Mentel also coached para-snowboarder Lisa Bunschoten early in her career. Mentel also worked as a motivational speaker, in the Dutch and English language; and occasionally taught at a wakeboarding school. In 2019, she appeared in the television show Groeten uit 19xx. Awards and decorations In 2009, Mentel received the golden CAPaward, annually awarded to those who, through perseverance, overcome their physical handiCAPs and turn them into CAPabilities. In 2012, she received a knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau At the closing ceremony of the Sochi Games, Mentel and Australian Toby Kane received the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award. and In December 2014, Mentel was elected 'Paralympic Athlete of the Year' at the annual Dutch NOC*NSF TV sports gala. At the 2015 Paralympic Sport and Media Awards, Mentel received the Courage Award, in recognition of her efforts to get snowboarding included in the Paralympic Winter Games. In 2017, she received the Strong Woman Award from Dutch company VanHaren. Explanatory notes References External links Bibian Mentel-Spee at World Para Snowboard Mentelity Foundation official website 1972 births 2021 deaths Deaths from brain tumor Deaths from cancer in the Netherlands Dutch female snowboarders Knights of the Order of Orange-Nassau Medalists at the 2014 Winter Paralympics Medalists at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Paralympic gold medalists for the Netherlands Paralympic medalists in snowboarding Paralympic snowboarders of the Netherlands Snowboarders at the 2014 Winter Paralympics Snowboarders at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Sportspeople from Utrecht (city)