“I broke my neck when I was 13 due to a diving accident. This injury totally shattered my outlook on life, going from complete independence to the total opposite in a matter of seconds.
After 5 months in hospital I had become really negative about myself. I returned to school, but this time in a wheelchair.
I had to relearn how to do everything with the ability I had left. The stigma of being a teen in a wheelchair really took adjusting to. However I started surrounding myself with people who were going through or who had been through similar things and my self pity and negative self talk eventually decreased.
One event really changed me – I met a man who had far less ability than me and yet he had accomplished more than any able person I knew. He challenged me to do more and since then I have been able to think happier thoughts, and things have subsequently become easier and more joyful.
I became a prefect and finished high school. I have my degree, and I am now building the next big movement that New Zealand has seen in a long time.
My mind-set now is to be happy, give back, enjoy and love, because love makes the world go round, and like anything circular it will come back to you.”
