I have a C7 level spinal cord injury. On the 21st of September 2017 I was involved in a car accident with my brother and sister on the way to school. We fell down a 130-meter embankment and the car rolled 20 times. I broke my C7 vertebrae and sustained badly bruised lungs. Thankfully all three of us survived the crash with my brother only breaking his wrist and his collarbone and my sister breaking her finger and had lacerations to the cheek and chin.

 

I was always an active person who loved playing sport and exercising, I played AFL footy for 8 years and enjoyed playing soccer on a social level with my friends.

Training at The Next Step has made my life so much better than what I thought it was going to be when I first had my accident. I go to the next step for 2 hours a day from Monday to Thursday which includes Exercise Physiology and Hydrotherapy.  I have also had massages and acupuncture at TNS, both of which were beneficial.

TNS has allowed me to keep having the training mentality whilst making it enjoyable.

I loved how welcoming they were straight away and they make you feel right at home and very comfortable, and I really love how the team push you to do your best.

I set myself goals to be able to be able to stand without hip support and I was able to achieve this goal and stand without hip support for 30 minutes with Jake. Sport is my life and would love to get back to it, next year I am hoping to try a sport, possibly wheelchair AFL.

 

Family and enjoying the things that make me happy are the most important things in life for me. On my bad days I always try to look for the positives in every situation, even after my injury, I learned that there is always someone else worse than me and to always be grateful for what I have. On my good days I try to have as much fun as I can whilst working as hard as I can!

I would absolutely recommend TNS! The team help you to get stronger, achieve your goals and become as independent as possible.

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"There is a path to everywhere you want to go, anything you want to do, there's always a way. You've just got to find it" 

 

I said this quote in an interview earlier this year because I feel as someone being in a wheelchair, you do tend to feel really lost in life sometimes. However you just need to keep looking and never give up on your goals, because one way or another you will find what you are looking for.