PBF Speakers

Kaitlyn Brown

Road/Youth

“Being in a serious car accident has dramatically changed my life. I am now more aware of the dangers of the road and the responsibility of each person to drive safely.”

Kaitlyn was 19 years old, had just graduated high school and was working as an assistant to a real estate agent. Her dream to sell her first property at 19 came true in March 2014. That night Kaitlyn went out with friends to celebrate, however things quickly got out of hand.

It was 3am and raining. Kaitlyn’s boyfriend at the time was angry when he came to pick her up. They had a fight, he was distracted and consequently lost control of the car at speed on a wet road. They headed straight for a pole and the car smashed into it. Instantly Kaitlyn was paralysed from C6/C7.

In hospital Kaitlyn knew things were serious when she saw her dad and sister in tears. Kaitlyn woke from surgery to be told by the doctor that she would never walk again. The realisation of this and the journey has been hard, but Kaitlyn is getting more and more independent day by day, attending gym sessions, physio and other rehabilitation programs.

Michelina Pelosi

Road/Youth

On Boxing Day 1989,  Michelina had recently finished her HSC and her family planned to drive to Adelaide for a 21st birthday party on New Year’s Eve. They never made it past Gundagai… 

Another driver fell asleep at the wheel and came onto their side of the highway, hitting her uncle’s car head-on. Michelina’s parent’s car was in front of them and managed to swerve out of the way. She was a passenger sitting behind her uncle’s seat and took the brunt of the impact resulting in an L2 Spinal Cord Injury. Michelina’s life changed forever. Not only did she lose the use of her legs but also lost her uncle in the blink of an eye. 

Michelina quickly realised that she would become an educator whether she wanted to be or not. Through education, she is able to knock down the barriers that pre-conceived ideas about spinal cord injury bring. Michelina believes it is so important to see the person before the wheelchair and educating about the consequences of road choices gives people the opportunity to be aware and make informed (and safer) decisions when they drive. She shares her story in the hope to minimise the risk of a catastrophic injury happening to her audience or their loved ones. 

John Clarke

Road/Youth

“Accidents don’t discriminate. They can happen to anyone!”

Before the accident, John had a love of AFL, and dreamed of one day playing professionally. John was in the car with his mother, brother, and sister, when another driver fell asleep at the wheel and drove straight into them.

John woke three days after the accident and was informed that his mother had passed, and that he had incurred a Spinal Cord Injury and would never walk again.

Today, John is a firm believer in safety, especially when it comes to the road. He grew his own business helping others with disabilities, and now he works as a presenter for PBF, sharing the message of safety with others.