By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
IT TOOK just a split second for tragedy to strike.
Often that’s all it takes.
Teenager Josh Evans was riding his mountain bike along a quad track in Healesville just over a year ago, on 27 November 2014, when he went over a jump too quickly.
The 18-year-old from Narre Warren North was thrown over his handle bars and broke his neck.
He was left a quadriplegic and bound to a wheelchair.
On the eve of beginning his VCE year at Gleneagles Secondary College in Endeavour Hills, Josh’s life changed forever.
At the time of the accident Josh said he felt like he was only on the ground for five minutes, but he later learned he’d been there for roughly two hours as emergency services were called in and the teenager was airlifted off the track and rushed to hospital.
It was his home for the next six months.
“I couldn’t move anything, I had tubes down my throat to help me breath, feeding tubes,” Josh said.
“Now I can move my arms but can’t move my wrist or fingers… there’s nothing in my legs.”
Since the accident Josh has undergone intensive physiotherapy under the guidance of local physiotherapist Tri Ngo.
Josh said he owes a lot to Tri who often visits him at home and has helped the teenager gradually assimilate into his new life.
It’s the reason why Josh has thrown his support behind the I Love My Physio campaign, co-ordinated by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), which aims to raise awareness about the role physiotherapists play in improving the lives of Australians.
“He’s an inspiration to me,” Josh said of Tri.
No one should have to go through what Josh has, and the 18-year-old is open about how tough the last year has been on him, his girlfriend and his family.
The financial strain is also telling, with the cost of medical treatment and even little things like catching a taxi to and from school every day.
But he credits his loved ones with giving him the strength he needs, and Josh is resolute that he won’t let his injury hold him back from finishing school, and going on to study at university.
“This year I was meant to play footy, so I still watch my mates, I wish I could get out there and play with them, so that makes it hard.” he said.
“But I’ve got a lot more feeling back than I should have, I shouldn’t be able to move my arms at all.
“I just want to get back and keep doing what I love.”
To contribute to Josh’s Go Fund Me page, visit www.gofundme.com/yucrcpek.
For more information on the I Love My Physio campaign, visit ilovemyphysio.com.au.
