From a young age I knew I wanted to be a commercial pilot. Starting flying lessons at the age of 15, I flew solo before I could legally drive by myself. 

My dream of having a career in aviation was cut short just four years after my first flying lesson. A motorbike accident in South Australia’s Riverland shattered my spine and severed my spinal cord. That injury left me a quadriplegic. 

A change of plan was needed and journalism called. I’m now a presenter on Australia’s most trusted morning news program, ABC News Breakfast. 

Since my injury, I’ve found the love and passion for handcycling and have competed at a national level, winning six national championships. Through cycling, I’ve also raised more than $320,000 for spinal cord injury research.