Important decisions … Motorbike accident survivor Selena Nightingale spoke to a group of St Albans Secondary College Year 10 students about decision making. 55557
By Natalie Gallenti
As part of the Year 10 Health Day, students heard how, after years of motorbike riding, Ms Nightingale was involved in a near-fatal accident in 2006.
The avid rider was thrown off her bike which left her paralysed from the chest down.
She shared her own story with the youngsters and emphasised the importance of making sound decisions when getting into a car or on a motorbike with friends.
The talk is part of the RACV SpinChat School Speakers Program which supports people with a disability or other physical needs to achieve their optimal quality of life.
Not much younger than Selena, many of the children who took part in the program would soon be getting their learner’s permit and were in the high risk category for reckless driving.
The program involves young people with a spinal cord injury visiting 5000 secondary school students across Victoria to talk about the risk of spinal cord injury and the possible effects of careless and high-risk activities, such as driving dangerously or diving into shallow waters.
Student well-being coordinator Sharyn D’Souza said the session revealed the importance of making informed choices and positive decision making.
