4 September 2026

A split second can change everything.

For Wyatt, that moment came on Christmas Day when a diving accident in his backyard pool resulted in a spinal cord injury.

"It’s crazy how one thing can change the course of your life," Wyatt said.

He woke up in the ICU at The Alfred where he was told he had a C5-C6 spinal cord injury and he wouldn’t walk again.

He was transferred to the Austin Hospital ICU before transferring to 3 North, the hospital’s spinal ward.

“The nurses in the Austin ICU were great – I definitely got close with a lot of them in the time in was there,” Wyatt says.

After leaving acute care, he transferred to the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, where he spent seven months rebuilding his strength, confidence and independence.

At the Royal Talbot, Jack's days were filled with physiotherapy, exercise programs and peer support.

"The physiotherapists were great – I got really close with a lot of them and I still talk to some of them now,” Wyatt says.

He also enjoyed taking part in hydrotherapy and music therapy at the Royal Talbot, but one activity in particular caught his eye.

"Every second Wednesday they'd have wheelchair rugby training and I'd sit there and watch them,” Wyatt says.

Today, he's no longer watching from the sidelines.

Now 17, Wyatt has travelled interstate to take part in the Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge.

"It was a good experience,” Wyatt says. “I sat on the bench a lot, but it was great to be there and learn. I'm looking forward to getting more game time and continuing to improve."

Wyatt was a keen AFL player before his injury, so wheelchair rugby lets him reconnect with his athletic side.

"The social side is great,” Wyatt says. “You get to talk to guys who have been in wheelchairs for 20 or 30 years and get a lot of advice from them."

“Wheelchair rugby gives me the opportunity to compete again while also staying fit and strong."

He has tournaments coming up on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and in Melbourne. When he’s not balancing rehabilitation and rugby commitments, he’s also completing his year 11 VCE from home.

He’s also sharing his experience to help others. He’ll be speaking to physiotherapy students at Monash University about his rehabilitation experience and opportunities to improve care for future patients.

He also recently shared his journey as part of a panel at Royal Talbot’s What’s Out There Day, an opportunity for people living with a physical disability, their families, and support networks to connect with others, explore assistive technology, and discover what’s possible in life with physical disability.

His advice for those navigating a similar situation?

“You’ve got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Wyatt says. “It’s a big transition moving from hospital to rehab to home.”

"You’ve got to keep moving," he says. "Life doesn't stop. You can still complete things and achieve goals. It might just look a little different."

We are sharing Wyatt’s story as part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, recognising not only the challenges faced by people living with spinal cord injury but their strength in the face of adversity. On this day and every day we also recognise the commitment and dedication of Austin Health staff involved in all facets of spinal cord injury care.