Tetraplegic Matt Naysmith was the special guest of Matthew Pavlich at training at Fremantle Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
Matt was given the VIP treatment, spending the afternoon getting a closer look at the inner sanctum and he also had the opportunity to watch the team go through their paces in a closed training session.
Matthew Pavlich is the Ambassador for the Paraplegic Benefit Fund (PBF) and he met Matt recently when he presented him with a member payment cheque for $100,000 on behalf of the PBF.
“I think as footballers, and as young men, we probably think we are all bullet proof,” said Matthew.
“But just hearing how Matt’s injury came about and the journey he has taken since, is really inspiration.
“Reality is that no one is immune to spinal chord injuries and I encourage everyone to join the Paraplegic Benefit Fund.”
Twenty-three-year-old Matt Naysmith, who is a member of PBF through Collie Eagles Football Club, also urges everyone to think about his story and consider becoming a member of the fund themselves.
“People need to realise that it doesn’t matter who you are – anyone can end up with an injury like this,” said Matt.
Matt became a tetraplegic after a slipping on a wet rock in Karijini National Park in 2007. Sustaining a fracture to his C4 vertebrae, Matt has since lived at the ParaQuad Association Centre in Shenton Park with 95 per cent paralysis.
PBF payments are normally made within weeks of the injury. However, this particular payment was delayed because the football club initially thought its members were only covered if they were injured while playing football. On discovering that PBF members are covered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the club contacted PBF and the payment was arranged.
Members pay just a small annual fee to be part of PBF and if they ever sustain a permanent spinal cord injury, they are eligible to claim the $100,000 member benefit. While the payment won’t fix a spinal cord injury, it can ease the financial burden that inevitably comes with such an injury.
In Matt’s case, he is using the money to help pay for expensive stem-cell treatment in India. It is hoped this will allow him to walk again in the future and he is off to India again in October for what will be his third treatment.
Prior to his accident, Matt led a very active life playing football, running and working out in the gym each day. At the time of the accident he was doing contract work in the Pilbara. With just one small error, Matt’s active life came to a very sudden halt.
Almost Everyday in Australia, someone suffers a life-changing spinal cord injury,like Matt’s. Many of these injuries are from everyday events, highlighting the fact that everybody is at risk.
PBF’s mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of spinal cord injury. PBF is a not-for-profit organisation which uses member revenue to fund its injury prevention programs.
The programs aim to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on the road, in the workplace and in the aquatic environment. It also funds a gifting program, which helps buy equipment for people with spinal cord injuries, and funds research into a cure for spinal cord injury.
PBF Executive Director Simon Bedbrook says Matt’s story is one of too many that highlights the risk of spinal cord injuries.
“On average, every day in Australia, someone suffers a spinal cord injury,” says Simon.
“More than half the injuries happen in road crashes, while around 30 per cent are the result of falls and workplace injuries, 8 per cent are aquatic related and 11 per cent are sustained during recreation, sport and other activities.
“Members pay just a small annual fee to be part of PBF, which covers them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If they ever sustain a permanent spinal cord injury, they are eligible to claim the $100,000 member benefit.
“I urge everyone to visit our website at www.pbf.asn.au or phone 9388 3366 and join as no-one is immune to everyday accidents that can cause spinal injury.”
