Alex Partington's life changed forever on November 28, 2016.
The Springwood teen landed awkwardly after a jump on his mountain bike and was left paralysed from the neck down.
"My mate went to get help ... I thought I was going to die [in the bush]. I realised I couldn't move, as if I was getting sucked to the ground," he said at the time.
Eight months later however he defied the medical odds and gingerly walked unassisted out of hospital.
Now life is about continuing to beat whatever obstacles come the Winmalee High student's way.
At the end of March, the 6 foot, eight inches tall, 17 year-old, participated in Run West - walking three kilometres to help raised money for a Neuromoves treadmill machine at his Penrith gym (https://www.gofundme.com/alex-partington-medical-bills). The $5000 machine is specially for those with spinal or neurological issues to help them with mobility and independence.
And he continues to smash the expectations of physiotherapists. Earlier this year he was honored with the best new talent award at the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby Country Classic at Cobram Sports Stadium in Victoria. The event was hosted by Wheelchair Sports NSW. Alex trains in wheelchair rugby every week at Homebush.
His mum, Julia, documents his inspiring journey on their Facebook site "Day By Day #AP35"
Pat Curtin from Wheelchair Sports NSW said Alex shows a great commitment to rugby and "amazes a lot of us with the skills he adopts each week".
He said if Alex continued to work hard he could place in the NSW Gladiators next year.
"There's a lot of competition in his classification (0.5-1 which is the least amount of function) but if he keeps improving he could definitely make it next year."
Alex said he would love to represent the nation in wheelchair rugby. Ultimately however he hopes that despite his spinal cord injury he can get out of his chair for good.
