David Ham, an Australian native and long-time resident of Wagga Wagga, has taken to the world of community engagement since his 2017 C3 incomplete spinal cord injury. Beyond that, he’s working on his own resilience. Outside of work, Ham’s life was turned upside down when, out biking one day, he fell off his bike. He took a hit to one of the cervical vertebrae in his neck. Despite the seriousness of his condition, which is classified as “high level and potentially life-threatening,” Ham has made remarkable strides in his recovery and continues to advocate for others facing similar challenges.
According to Dr. Rachael McQueen, Ham’s specialist in spinal cord injuries, some of his neuro pathways have miraculously remained unaffected. This new condition enables him to be able to walk in public spaces while using a cane. Even with his new drop foot—which severely limits his gait—Ham is undeterred. He participates in an intensive exercise program to maintain his muscle strength and mobility, allowing him to engage in activities he loves, such as riding his bike and sailing regularly.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
Ham’s journey began well beyond his own personal recovery, evolving into as much a story of community service and advocacy as individual healing. Outside of NIRAP, he volunteers with his local Rural Fire Service brigade. He’s passionate about serving this community that has continued to support him. His commitment doesn’t stop with non-motorized recreation. To improve his mental health, he regularly engages in virtual mental health programs run by Spinal Cord Injury Australia.
Ham continues to face barriers in finding and connecting with the right people that have gone through what he has. He knows the isolation experienced by many with a spinal cord injury, especially in regional areas. “It can be quite isolating in the community when you don’t know somebody else that has a similar disability,” said Rebecca Gill, another spinal cord injury survivor living nearby. Her experience got her thinking about the challenges of accessing supportive community, especially in rural areas. That just goes to show the desperate need for additional resources.
“Wagga is quite isolated, I guess, in terms of resources for people with spinal cord injuries,” – Rebecca Gill
For Ham, the social connections he develops and cultivate during rehab sessions become a necessary lifeline. He doesn’t see these episodes as simply opportunities for resilience. They’re community events that educate people about disabilities impacting their neighbors in our rural communities.
The Journey of Recovery
David Ham’s recovery story started almost immediately upon bruising his spinal cord in an on-ice accident. He remembers all that optimism he had at the prospect of getting back to his old self. As time went on, he would need to come to terms with the truth of his situation. “Originally, I was fairly confident that I would return to my normal self but … that hasn’t happened,” admitted Gill. As both Ham and Gill honestly share, there’s still a struggle as they figure out what it means to live after their injury.
Ham is living with incomplete quadriplegia. This condition affects his muscles, feeling and bodily functions—though not in the same way as full paralysis. “The spinal cord was intact; it wasn’t cut, it was just crushed and bruised,” he explained. He describes the static nature of his condition: “It’s just static, and it’s remained so.”
Yet amid all of these hardships, Ham is hopeful about what’s to come. “It’s about making it your best life and improving things,” he stated resolutely.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Aspirations
It is a major issue for all people with spinal cord injury who live in rural areas. Ham underscores that this persistent problem affects their overall quality of life which affects their ability to enjoy life and engage in their community entirely. “The obvious one is accessibility. It’s an ongoing problem and it probably always will be,” he noted.
Taking care of his mental health is a key part of Ham’s story. He actively engages in conversations about resilience and strength with fellow survivors, recognizing the importance of mental well-being alongside physical rehabilitation. “We talk about mental health and what we can do to make ourselves strong and resilient,” he expressed.
Ham’s journey illustrates not only personal resilience but highlights the broader conversation surrounding accessibility and support for individuals living with disabilities in rural communities. His story is an important reminder that connection and advocacy go a long way in fighting against feelings of isolation.
