Matthew Allen
“The consequences of my injury have severely affected those closest to me. By sharing my experiences, we can learn from my decision and the risks involved on our roads and at work.”
It was 2016, I was 22 years old, and had just graduated University with a physics and mathematics degree. Following my graduation, I began working as a radiochemist in Sydney when I was a pedestrian involved in a motor vehicle collision.
I remember the day and the accident clearly. Having just completed my radiochemist training, I went out to lunch to celebrate my achievements. Making my way back to work I had a lapse of judgement by crossing the road as a jaywalker when I was struck by a car on a Sydney highway. This left me as a C3/4 quadriplegic, paralysed from the neck down. Following my injury I was in rehab for 18 months while my life was on hold.
Having seen the effects my quadriplegia has had on my family and friends, I am eager to share my story to help raise awareness by educating people to make better choices in preventing accidents from occurring.