Harrison was 15 years old and in prime health and fitness at the time of his accident on November 2nd 2019. Harrison was riding with his brother, friends and parents on the Lake Canobolas Mountain Bike track. After the last loop they planned a stop at the Lake for a swim and ice creams but 300 metres from the end of the track Harrison fell off his bike, severing his spinal cord. His C4 Complete spinal cord injury is a catastrophic injury that will require lifetime care and support.

Harrison was flown from Orange to Sydney Children’s Hospital where he spent the next 9 weeks in the ICU. For the first 7 weeks he was unable to breathe independently, move, speak or eat. After 5 months in hospital and at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Harrison returned home to Orange. When he turned 16, it was back to Sydney to spend three months in Royal Rehab learning to live well with high level quadriplegia. It was at Royal Rehab where Recreational Therapist, Kel Smith, reintroduced Harrison to sport but with a new angle for those with limited mobility.

For Harrison, maintaining his physical activity and wellbeing are central to being able to live life as best and independently as he can in a differently-abled way, and to build and maintain relationships by engaging in sport. In his mid-teens, Harrison was a talented and passionate sportsman. He was a representative soccer player and referee, played waterpolo and tennis, and was into body building and weights - his mates calling him ‘Biceps Harry’.

Harrison is a remarkable and inspirational young man - we are all in awe of his tenacity and resilience. He is currently completing his HSC, with his ambition to undertake a University degree in Engineering. He has just been awarded Dux of his Year 12 cohort! His Dux acceptance speech received a whole school standing ovation, with not a dry eye in the house. Harrison’s goal is to continue to participate in physical activities to stay fit and healthy and to enjoy the benefits of social interaction that sport offers. Being so young, Harrison will live longer than most with a spinal cord injury. Maintaining muscle mass and bone density is critical for his long-term health and wellbeing.

Living regionally, and with his rehabilitation interrupted by the pandemic, Harrison has not had access to regular specialist SCI therapy. He would like the opportunity for regular specialist exercise therapy. Harrison is keen to return to a gym environment to maximise and maintain the physical function he has retained. To do this, he needs to attend a specialised neurological gym with specialised equipment and staff.

Your donation will offer Harrison the opportunity to do this and find new ways of being active and continue his sporting interests with new forms of recreation. Activities such as skiing, skydiving and sailing would allow him to get back into sport.