Clint

After a life-changing motorbike accident resulted in a spinal cord injury, Clint has found connection and strength through new and old hobbies to help him stay active and connected. Activities like archery have allowed him to build strength, and engage socially, while his lifelong love of music has been reignited with clever adaptations. These hobbies have been a big part of his recovery, helping him stay physically healthy by improving his muscle tone and posture. They have also boosted his mental health and helped him reconnect with his community. 

Archery: building strength and social connection

For the past 18 months, Clint has been practising archery, often up to three times a week. This sport has become more than just a physical activity for him – it’s a way to connect socially and improve his physical and mental health.

“The social side is as good as the physical and mental exercise,” Clint explains. “A lot of my stretches and exercises at physio are the same for archery, so it helps tone and build muscle in my arms, chest, and back while improving my posture.”

“The social side is as good as the physical and mental exercise,”

Clint’s current goal is to improve his performance and increase his shooting distance, further building on the physical and mental benefits he is already gaining from the sport.

Fishing

Fishing has always been one of Clint’s favourite activities, and thanks to a power assist, made possible by the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ), he’s been able to return to what he loves.

“I really love fishing,” he said. “The power assist has also given me a lot of independence to do what I want when I want in my local area. It has really opened my world.”

“The power assist has also given me a lot of independence to do what I want when I want in my local area. It has really opened my world .”

Clint credits much of his progress to the support he has received from NIISQ.

“I would be stuffed without the support of NIISQ,” Clint says. “The assistance, even before I was discharged from hospital, has been amazing. Every day it impacts my quality of life and helps me to always look forwards, not backwards.”

Music: a new way to keep playing

Music has been another lifelong passion for Clint, who began performing at the age of five. Before his accident in 2023, he was regularly performing solo gigs at pubs, however these days he fines his hypersensitive leg makes it harder for him to play the guitar as he once did.

“This has been a major gamechanger. I can play every day again, and I’m about to do my first public performance at an open mic night at a local pub. It’s only three songs, but it will be a major confidence booster.”

Thanks to Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Design Café project, Clint now uses a custom-designed guitar mount for his wheelchair.

“I come from a musical family, so music has always been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember,”  Clint shares.

“This guitar has been a major gamechanger. I can play every day again, and I’m about to do my first public performance at an open mic night at a local pub. It’s only three songs, but it will be a major confidence booster.”

Hydrotherapy

Clint has found hydrotherapy sessions twice a week to be a gentler form of strengthening exercise. These sessions help him maintain movement in his legs.

“I enjoy going to hydrotherapy, even though hypersensitivity in one of my legs has reduced what I am able to do in the pool. I find it to be beneficial to keep movement in my legs and is a gentler workout when compared to a physio session,” he says.

“Keep yourself busy and don’t be afraid to try new activities or things that may be different from your life pre-accident,”

Clint recognises the importance of staying engaged and open to new possibilities. “Keep yourself busy and don’t be afraid to try new activities or things that may be different from your life pre-accident,” he encourages.

By exploring new interests and hobbies, he has been able to find joy and purpose in activities like hydrotherapy, archery and music, which have become integral to his recovery journey.

Clint’s advice

In drawing on his own experience Clint offered this advice to others who are navigating life after a serious injury. For Clint, acceptance is the first and most important step in moving forward.

“Acceptance is key. It is what it is, and you can’t change it, even though that sounds harsh,” he says. This mindset has helped him focus on what he can achieve rather than dwelling on what he cannot.

“Surround yourself with genuine, good people who see you, not the chair or any other accessory.”

Clint also emphasises the value of leaning on a strong support network. “Draw on family, friends, and support. Don’t isolate yourself – it just makes life more difficult. Surround yourself with genuine, good people who see you, not the chair or any other accessory,” he advises. For Clint, having people around him who understand and support his journey has been a vital part of his progress.

Looking to the future

Clint continues to set ambitious goals for himself as he navigates life. Regaining independence is a key goal, and he aspires to drive a car and ride a motorbike or trike again, which would provide greater freedom and mobility.

“I don’t see barriers, just hills to get over of different sizes.”

He is also working towards reducing his social anxiety, which has been heightened since his injury. He hopes to return to the confidence levels he had before his accident, allowing him to fully enjoy social interactions and community activities.

Finally, Clint is trying to increase his walking distance, a challenge made more difficult by the hypersensitivity in one of his legs. Regardless, he remains determined to push his limits and improve his mobility over time.

“I don’t see barriers, just hills to get over of different sizes,” Clint says. “I thrive on a challenge while also accepting limitations that cannot be changed.”

Clint remains optimistic about the future. “I’m in the best headspace I’ve been in for a long time,” he shares. “I’m proud of how chilled and grounded I am, and I’m making new discoveries about myself every day. The future is very promising.”