In 2015 I was doing some weekend work, helping a local manage his farm. I was asked to cut down a tree, something I was experienced in and unfortunately the tree fell on my head. It ripped half of my left ear off, I broke my back, shattered my right ankle and I was left with a damaged spinal cord and a brain injury.

Before I started coming to The Next Steps, I was still training at home, building strength and working out whenever I could. I didn’t want to accept what the medical professionals told me and sit at home doing nothing but feel sorry for myself, it’s just not who I am.

​

However, I really had no idea how to train as a paraplegic. TNS are the only facility specialised in Spinal cord injury so when I found out how close they were to me, I immediately contacted them and have been attending regularly since my first initial consultation in 2017. The team are always professional, the environment is always positive and every time I leave, I feel uplifted.

They have provided me with specialist support and guidance, ensuring I understand the movements and training methods and how they support my personal goals, in the short time I have been there I have learnt how to independently move my legs in all sorts of different directions, which is an amazing feeling. 

​

I do six hours of Exercise Physiology a week, which is fully funded by the TAC, so the financial pressure is removed which makes such a huge difference. I am a tattoo artist and in 2018 my partner and I welcomed our first child into the world, something I was told would be impossible for me following my accident.

Life can be busy as a new parent and family is the most important thing to me, but nothing stops me from wanting to achieve my goal of walking again, Colt and Kristyn motivate me to achieve it even more.

I am excited for what the future holds for me and my family, I’m hopeful, determined and doing the hard work and that’s what matters the most!