Former Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City Patient Prepares to Compete in Third Paralympics

Dani Aravich Continues to Make Impact on World of Para Sports On and Off the Snow

Former Shriners Children's Salt Lake City and Spokane patient Dani Aravich was just named to the United States Para Nordic Team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. A soon-to-be three-time Paralympian, Aravich's impact in the para sport world has continued to grow both on and off the snow over the past year.

In the month ahead, Aravich plans to continue training and competing for the United States National Team in biathlon and Nordic skiing as she makes her final preparations for the Paralympic Games.

"I've really had a great summer and winter training, and I feel great about how preparations are going," Aravich said. "I think I've been able to manage the training season and travel better than I ever have in the past. Even with my social media work and different events I do, I've stayed on top of it. I've avoided injury and sickness. I'm feeling great for the 2026 Games."

Away from competition, Aravich co-founded a media collective called Culxtured in 2024 with a focus on changing the way the world views para sports. Culxtured's social accounts report on para competitions much like ESPN reports on non-disabled athletes, while also featuring fun interviews, social trends and more with para athletes. The collective also has its own website and merchandise line, with plans to keep growing over the coming years.

Team USA also named Aravich as a social media contractor during the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Instead of competing in the Summer Games as she had in the past, Aravich used her social media savvy to cover the Paralympics on social media for the United States' official accounts. It was there she met many Shriners Children's patients with a journey like hers.

"While working in Paris, I really came to realize how many Paralympians are either former or current Shriners Children's patients," Aravich said. "I think it really just speaks to the breadth of what Shriners Children's is doing for children across the country. Shriners Children's introduces so many kids to para sports and provides them with the necessary prosthetics and equipment to succeed, regardless of a family's ability to pay. If those kids weren't given the opportunity at Shriners Children's, they might not have developed into these world-class athletes."

Aravich also played a key role in securing the 2034 Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic bid. She was on multiple subcommittees and interacted with all-time greats, like Lindsey Vonn, to bring the games back to her former home. Aravich is currently still on a steering committee for the 2034 Salt Lake City Games and plans to be involved for the next eight years.

The Paralympian started her Shriners Children's journey when she was just 4 months old after being born without a left hand and forearm. Aravich received care from the nonprofit healthcare system throughout her childhood and now makes visits to Salt Lake City to give back to patients.