Matt’s Story
Back
At the age of 21, I was a fully qualified heavy duty mechanic about to travel the world. I was celebrating the end of work with colleagues at Karijini National Park Gorge. I swam to a ledge beneath a waterfall and noticed others diving off the top into the water. Immediately I wanted to do the same. Ignoring a warning sign about climbing up the gorge, I proceeded to climb to the top of the waterfall. I had a realisation moment, that what I was doing was not safe and decided against jumping. I was making my way back down the track when my foot slipped on a big rock I’d passed earlier, and I was sent hurtling over the edge. Even though I had my hands above my head, I didn’t manage to avoid hitting the rocks.
After I landed in the water below, I checked and could feel my feet and hands, so I knew I was okay. A friend called out to me, I turned my head towards him and knew that something was wrong when I became completely paralysed because my spinal cord had been severed at C4.
Months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation followed. Spinal cord injury is debilitating, and the lack of independence is difficult to come to terms with. Fortunately my football club was a corporate member of PBF, which meant I was able to claim the member benefit payment. The money made a huge difference to being able to have modifications done so I could get home sooner to family and friends. I cannot emphasise how much this meant.
Follow us on Facebook for more
Latest News

Meet the PBF team: Introducing Nick Dempsey
Introducing PBF youth and road injury prevention speaker Nick Dempsey In 2017 while celebrating his 21st birthday, Nick dove into his backyard pool, hit the bottom and sustained ....

Meet the PBF team: Introducing Myreesa Hurtado
Introducing Myreesa Hurtado, PBF Workplace presenter As a young, adventurous woman, Myreesa lived a full and busy life surfing, snorkelling, riding bikes and exploring Working ....

Meet the PBF team: Introducing Lindsay Nott
Introducing Lindsay Nott, PBF Youth and Workplace presenter On the last day of Grade 12, at the age of 17, Lindsay went for a celebratory swim and broke his neck at vertebrae C5 ....

Meet the PBF team: Introducing Emma Seaman
1 What is your role at PBF I am the Community Engagement / Membership Growth Manager 2 How long have you been working at PBF A little over 3 months 3 Take us through an average ....

Meet the PBF team: Introducing Tayla Stone.
What is your role at PBF IP Engagement Officer, Peer Support & IP Presenter Take us through an average day for you at PBF: Brightening up people’s day on the Fiona ....

Now is the time for giving. There’s still time to donate before tax time.
With tax time around the corner, shorten the gap between your donation and benefit by donating to PBF Australia today You can complete your income tax return any time up until ....

PBF employment program wins award
PBF membership helps us to provide meaningful employment opportunities after trauma, and we are proud to employ over 40 people living with permanent spinal cord injury Many are ....

Ebonny’s Story
Meet Ebonny: Ebonny was a very active member of the community pursuing her passion in photography and gaining experience in a bookkeeping career She regularly enjoyed activities ....

Abilympics 2023
This month, the Abilympics 2023 (or Olympics of Abilities) will be held in Metz, France with the aim to improve the vocational abilities of persons with disabilities to reach ....

Jodie’s Story
Road/Workplace/Youth Jodie’s life changed forever when she was struck by a motor vehicle whilst cycling The driver, was over the legal alcohol limit, found to be fatigued at the ....