PBF Speakers

Robert Spencer

Youth

“The effects on my family and friends were devastating.  We knew nothing about spinal cord injury and had to learn as we went along.” 

Robert was playing the position of Lock for the North Devils in his usual rugby league football match, he went into a tackle and unfortunately put his head in the wrong place. A player from the other team kneed Robert in the head and the force was enough to break his neck at C7 level.

It was only 2 days before Roberts’s 18th birthday, yet it ended up being 10 ½ months before he even got to go home.  Robert’s goal today is to stay healthy.  He goes to the gym, plays sports and simply gets on with his life doing the best he can.

Lindsay Nott

Youth

“I obtained a spinal cord injury several years ago which sees me get around on 4 wheels instead of 2 legs! My injury hasn’t stopped me from making the most out of this beautiful life. I’d call myself an explorer because I love travelling and adventures!” 

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. This changed Lindsay’s world forever. Whilst recovering in hospital, Lindsay and his family learnt what his life was going to look like in a wheelchair and once he returned home after the long stay in hospital, there was a giant learning curve.

For the last 29 years, Lindsay has been a dedicated advocate for disability awareness via public speaking, fundraising, and volunteering as peer support. Lindsay has come on board with PBF to share his extensive knowledge and to educate today’s youth.

Mark Farrell

Youth

Mark was 14 years old and had special dispensation to leave school, and get a job.

He came home one afternoon after work, and asked his Mum how long he had before dinner was ready. She told him 10 minutes, so Mark decided to go for a quick swim in their pool.

He jumped in, feet first, with his legs together, but his feet hit the bottom of the pool.

The reverberations from hitting the pool floor crushed the vertebrae and spinal cord in Mark’s neck. His brother called for help, and his mother and a neighbour were able to get him out of the pool and call an ambulance. Mark had been injured at the C4-C5 vertebrae, meaning he is now living with quadriplegia.

Today, Mark works hard with his hobbies of bee keeping, miniature horse breeding, whale watching and photography. He also attends schools to teach students about the importance of safety, not just around the pool, but in everyday life.