[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.49,0:00:05.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Life is about opportunities --\Ncreating them and embracing them.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.72,0:00:08.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And for me, that was the Olympic dream.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.83,0:00:11.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what defined me. That was my bliss.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.51,0:00:15.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a cross-country skier\Nand member of the Australian ski team
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.70,0:00:17.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,headed towards the Winter Olympics,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.83,0:00:21.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was on a training bike ride\Nwith my fellow teammates.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.94,0:00:25.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As we made our way up\Ntowards the spectacular Blue Mountains
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.56,0:00:26.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,west of Sydney,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.74,0:00:29.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was the perfect autumn day:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.20,0:00:33.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sunshine, the smell\Nof eucalypt and a dream.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.39,0:00:34.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Life was good.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.26,0:00:37.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We'd been on our bikes\Nfor around five-and-a-half hours
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.88,0:00:40.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we got to the part\Nof the ride that I loved,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.34,0:00:43.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that was the hills,\Nbecause I loved the hills.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.08,0:00:46.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got up off the seat of my bike\Nand I started pumping my legs,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.00,0:00:50.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and as I sucked in the cold mountain air,\NI could feel it burning my lungs,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.85,0:00:53.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I looked up to see\Nthe sun shining in my face.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.43,0:00:56.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then everything went black.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.36,0:01:00.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where was I? What was happening?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.15,0:01:03.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My body was consumed by pain.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.95,0:01:07.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd been hit by a speeding utility truck
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.69,0:01:10.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with only 10 minutes\Nto go on the bike ride.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.90,0:01:14.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was airlifted from the scene\Nof the accident by a rescue helicopter
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.19,0:01:16.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a large spinal unit in Sydney.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.48,0:01:19.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had extensive\Nand life-threatening injuries.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.11,0:01:23.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd broken my neck\Nand my back in six places.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.91,0:01:26.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I broke five ribs on my left side.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.22,0:01:29.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I broke my right arm.\NI broke my collarbone.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.03,0:01:30.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I broke some bones in my feet.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.41,0:01:34.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My whole right side was ripped open,\Nfilled with gravel.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.43,0:01:36.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My head was cut open\Nacross the front, lifted back,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.83,0:01:38.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,exposing the skull underneath.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.53,0:01:40.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had head injures.\NI had internal injuries.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.66,0:01:41.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had massive blood loss.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.01,0:01:44.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, I lost\Nabout five liters of blood,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.11,0:01:46.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is all someone my size\Nwould actually hold.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.69,0:01:50.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By the time the helicopter arrived\Nat Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.29,0:01:52.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my blood pressure was 40 over nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.21,0:01:55.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was having a really bad day.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.01,0:02:02.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.26,0:02:07.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For over 10 days, I drifted\Nbetween two dimensions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.91,0:02:10.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had an awareness of being in my body,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.42,0:02:12.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also being out of my body,\Nsomewhere else,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.70,0:02:15.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,watching from above,\Nas if it was happening to someone else.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.75,0:02:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why would I want to go back\Nto a body that was so broken?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.59,0:02:21.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this voice kept calling me:
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.39,0:02:24.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Come on, stay with me."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.66,0:02:26.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No, it's too hard."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.57,0:02:29.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Come on. This is our opportunity."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.46,0:02:34.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No. That body is broken.\NIt can no longer serve me."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.50,0:02:38.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Come on. Stay with me. We can do it.\NWe can do it together."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.71,0:02:41.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was at a crossroads.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.88,0:02:45.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew if I didn't return to my body,\NI'd have to leave this world forever.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.70,0:02:48.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was the fight of my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.90,0:02:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After 10 days, I made the decision\Nto return to my body.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.93,0:02:57.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the internal bleeding stopped.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.04,0:03:02.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The next concern\Nwas whether I would walk again,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.16,0:03:04.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I was paralyzed\Nfrom the waist down.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.96,0:03:08.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They said to my parents\Nthat the neck break was a stable fracture,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.18,0:03:09.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the back was completely crushed:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.94,0:03:13.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the vertebra at L1\Nwas like you'd dropped a peanut,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.35,0:03:16.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stepped on it, smashed it\Ninto thousands of pieces.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.47,0:03:17.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They'd have to operate.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.04,0:03:21.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They went in. They put me on a beanbag.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.41,0:03:23.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They cut me -- literally cut me in half.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.51,0:03:25.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have a scar that wraps\Naround my entire body.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.97,0:03:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They picked as much\Nbroken bone as they could
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.74,0:03:31.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that had lodged in my spinal cord.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.44,0:03:35.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They took out two of my broken ribs\Nand they rebuilt my back --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.40,0:03:38.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,L1, they rebuilt it,\Nthey took out another broken rib,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.07,0:03:41.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they fused T12, L1 and L2 together.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.48,0:03:44.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then they stitched me up;\Nthey took an entire hour to stitch me up.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.68,0:03:46.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I woke up in intensive care,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.34,0:03:49.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the doctors were really excited\Nthat the operation had been a success,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.99,0:03:52.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because at that stage,\NI had a little bit of movement
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.59,0:03:53.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in one of my big toes,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.77,0:03:56.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I thought, "Great,\Nbecause I'm going to the Olympics!"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.84,0:03:58.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.90,0:04:00.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had no idea.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.52,0:04:04.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's the sort of thing that happens\Nto someone else, not me, surely.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.08,0:04:06.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then the doctor\Ncame over to me and she said,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.49,0:04:09.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Janine, the operation was a success,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.32,0:04:13.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we've picked as much bone\Nout of your spinal cord as we could.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.08,0:04:14.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the damage is permanent.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.50,0:04:17.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The central nervous system\Nnerves -- there is no cure.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.12,0:04:20.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're what we call a partial paraplegic,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.44,0:04:23.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you'll have all of the injuries\Nthat go along with that.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.43,0:04:26.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll have no feeling\Nfrom the waist down,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.32,0:04:29.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at most, you might get\N10 or 20 percent return.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.12,0:04:32.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll have internal injuries\Nfor the rest of your life.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.78,0:04:35.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll have to use a catheter\Nfor the rest of your life.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.35,0:04:40.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you walk again, it will be\Nwith calipers and a walking frame."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.70,0:04:41.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then she said,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.90,0:04:45.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Janine, you'll have to rethink\Neverything you do in your life,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.05,0:04:48.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because you're never going to be able\Nto do the things you did before."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.75,0:04:49.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Gasps)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.85,0:04:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I tried to grasp what she was saying.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.28,0:04:55.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was an athlete. That's all I knew.\NThat's all I'd done.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.02,0:04:57.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If I couldn't do that,\Nthen what could I do?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.85,0:04:59.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the question I asked myself is:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.69,0:05:01.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If I couldn't do that,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.09,0:05:03.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then who was I?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.66,0:05:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They moved me from intensive care\Nto acute spinal.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.15,0:05:13.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was lying on a thin, hard spinal bed.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.40,0:05:14.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had no movement in my legs.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.89,0:05:18.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had tight stockings on\Nto protect from blood clots.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.26,0:05:21.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had one arm in plaster,\None arm tied down by drips.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.15,0:05:24.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had a neck brace and sandbags\Non either side of my head
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.15,0:05:26.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I saw my world through a mirror
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.12,0:05:28.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was suspended above my head.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.10,0:05:32.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I shared the ward with five other people,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.58,0:05:33.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the amazing thing is,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.90,0:05:37.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we were all lying paralyzed\Nin a spinal ward,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.47,0:05:39.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we didn't know\Nwhat each other looked like.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.90,0:05:41.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How amazing is that?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.72,0:05:47.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How often in life do you get to make\Nfriendships, judgment-free,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.88,0:05:49.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,purely based on spirit?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.80,0:05:53.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there were\Nno superficial conversations
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.46,0:05:56.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as we shared our innermost\Nthoughts, our fears,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.53,0:05:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our hopes for life\Nafter the spinal ward.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.10,0:06:04.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember one night,\None of the nurses came in, Jonathan,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.98,0:06:08.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a whole lot of plastic straws.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.05,0:06:10.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He put a pile on top\Nof each of us, and he said,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.34,0:06:12.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Start threading them together."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.18,0:06:16.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, there wasn't much else to do\Nin the spinal ward, so we did.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.49,0:06:17.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.54,0:06:20.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when we'd finished,\Nhe went around silently
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.38,0:06:25.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he joined all of the straws up\Ntill it looped around the whole ward.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.72,0:06:26.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then he said,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.91,0:06:29.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"OK everybody, hold on to your straws."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.24,0:06:33.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we did. And he said, "Right ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.95,0:06:35.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now we're all connected."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.47,0:06:41.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as we held on and we breathed as one,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.77,0:06:45.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we knew we weren't on this journey alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.03,0:06:50.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And even lying paralyzed\Nin the spinal ward ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.74,0:06:54.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there were moments of incredible\Ndepth and richness,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.96,0:06:57.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of authenticity and connection
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.24,0:07:00.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I had never experienced before.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.45,0:07:05.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And each of us knew\Nthat when we left the spinal ward,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.24,0:07:08.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we would never be the same.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.29,0:07:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After six months, it was time to go home.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.95,0:07:19.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember Dad pushing me\Noutside in my wheelchair,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.47,0:07:21.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wrapped in a plaster body cast,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.41,0:07:25.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and feeling the sun on my face\Nfor the first time.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.63,0:07:27.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I soaked it up and I thought,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.05,0:07:30.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"How could I ever\Nhave taken this for granted?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.47,0:07:34.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt so incredibly grateful for my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.20,0:07:36.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But before I left hospital,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.61,0:07:39.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the head nurse had said to me,\N"Janine, I want you to be ready,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.66,0:07:42.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because when you get home,\Nsomething's going to happen."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.37,0:07:43.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "What?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.56,0:07:46.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she said, "You're going\Nto get depressed."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.30,0:07:49.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "Not me,\Nnot Janine the Machine,"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.31,0:07:51.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which was my nickname.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.05,0:07:54.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "You are, because,\Nsee, it happens to everyone.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.15,0:07:58.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the spinal ward, that's normal.\NYou're in a wheelchair. That's normal.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.43,0:08:02.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you're going to get home\Nand realize how different life is."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.69,0:08:04.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I got home.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.05,0:08:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And something happened.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.64,0:08:10.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I realized Sister Sam was right.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.100,0:08:13.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did get depressed.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.94,0:08:16.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was in my wheelchair.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.72,0:08:18.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had no feeling from the waist down,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.60,0:08:20.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,attached to a catheter bottle.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.07,0:08:21.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I couldn't walk.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.81,0:08:23.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd lost so much weight in hospital,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.00,0:08:26.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I now weighed about 80 pounds.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.05,0:08:29.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I wanted to give up.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.91,0:08:33.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All I wanted to do was put my running\Nshoes on and run out the door.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.01,0:08:37.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted my old life back.\NI wanted my body back.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.19,0:08:39.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I can remember\NMom sitting on the end of my bed
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.62,0:08:42.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and saying, "I wonder if life\Nwill ever be good again."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.58,0:08:45.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I thought, "How could it?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.32,0:08:49.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because I've lost\Neverything that I valued,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.85,0:08:51.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,everything that I'd worked towards.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.98,0:08:53.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gone."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.99,0:08:58.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the question I asked was,\N"Why me? Why me?"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.91,0:09:01.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I remembered
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.73,0:09:05.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my friends that were still\Nin the spinal ward,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.78,0:09:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,particularly Maria.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.89,0:09:09.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maria was in a car accident,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:09.37,0:09:11.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she woke up on her 16th birthday
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.32,0:09:14.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the news that she was\Na complete quadriplegic,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.44,0:09:16.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had no movement from the neck down,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.73,0:09:19.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had damage to her vocal chords,\Nand she couldn't talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.75,0:09:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They told me, "We're going\Nto move you next to her
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.12,0:09:25.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we think it will be good for her."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.19,0:09:29.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was worried. I didn't know\Nhow I'd react to being next to her.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.70,0:09:34.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew it would be challenging,\Nbut it was actually a blessing,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.59,0:09:39.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because Maria always smiled.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.44,0:09:44.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was always happy,\Nand even when she began to talk again,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.20,0:09:49.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,albeit difficult to understand,\Nshe never complained, not once.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.20,0:09:55.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I wondered how had she ever\Nfound that level of acceptance.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.76,0:10:00.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I realized\Nthat this wasn't just my life;
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.57,0:10:01.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was life itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.41,0:10:06.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I realized that this wasn't just my pain;\Nit was everybody's pain.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.31,0:10:10.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I knew, just like before,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.18,0:10:13.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I had a choice:\NI could keep fighting this,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.94,0:10:19.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or I could let go\Nand accept not only my body,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.57,0:10:21.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the circumstances of my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.06,0:10:25.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I stopped asking, "Why me?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.48,0:10:28.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I started to ask, "Why not me?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.93,0:10:32.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I thought to myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.25,0:10:36.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,maybe being at rock bottom\Nis actually the perfect place to start.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.40,0:10:44.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had never before thought of myself\Nas a creative person.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.44,0:10:47.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was an athlete; my body was a machine.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.51,0:10:52.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now I was about to embark\Non the most creative project
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.96,0:10:54.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that any of us could ever do:
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.97,0:10:56.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that of rebuilding a life.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.99,0:11:01.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And even though I had absolutely\Nno idea what I was going to do,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.45,0:11:04.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in that uncertainty came\Na sense of freedom.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.62,0:11:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was no longer tied to a set path.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.60,0:11:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was free to explore\Nlife's infinite possibilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.26,0:11:18.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that realization\Nwas about to change my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.60,0:11:25.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sitting at home in my wheelchair\Nand my plaster body cast,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.21,0:11:27.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an airplane flew overhead.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.48,0:11:32.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I looked up, and I thought\Nto myself, "That's it!
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.88,0:11:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If I can't walk,\Nthen I might as well fly."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.64,0:11:36.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.68,0:11:39.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Mom, I'm going\Nto learn how to fly."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.34,0:11:41.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "That's nice, dear."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.12,0:11:43.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.21,0:11:45.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Pass me the yellow pages."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.61,0:11:48.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She passed me the phone book,\NI rang up the flying school,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.37,0:11:51.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said I'd like to make a booking\Nto come out for a flight.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.21,0:11:53.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They said, "When do you want to come out?"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.55,0:11:57.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Well, I have to get a friend\Nto drive me because I can't drive.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.14,0:11:59.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sort of can't walk, either.\NIs that a problem?"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.56,0:12:01.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I made a booking, and weeks later,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.24,0:12:04.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my friend Chris and my mom\Ndrove me out to the airport,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.03,0:12:06.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all 80 pounds of me covered\Nin a plaster body cast
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.46,0:12:07.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a baggy pair of overalls.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.91,0:12:09.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.04,0:12:11.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can tell you, I did not\Nlook like the ideal candidate
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.82,0:12:13.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get a pilot's license.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.21,0:12:14.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.82,0:12:17.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm holding on to the counter\Nbecause I can't stand.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.30,0:12:19.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Hi, I'm here\Nfor a flying lesson."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.39,0:12:23.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They took one look and ran\Nout the back to draw short straws.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.05,0:12:25.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You get her." "No, no, you take her."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.01,0:12:29.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Finally a guy goes, "Hi, I'm Andrew.\NI'm going to take you flying."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.23,0:12:30.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I go, "Great!"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.43,0:12:32.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They get me out on the tarmac,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.15,0:12:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there was this red, white and blue\Nairplane -- it was beautiful.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.64,0:12:39.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They had to slide me up on the wing\Nto put me in the cockpit.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.45,0:12:42.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They sat me down. There are buttons\Nand dials everywhere.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.24,0:12:45.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm going, "Wow, how do you ever know\Nwhat all these buttons and dials do?"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.86,0:12:48.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Andrew got in the front,\Nstarted the plane, and said,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.54,0:12:50.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Would you like to have a go at taxiing?"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.54,0:12:53.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's when you use your feet\Nto control the rudder pedals
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.31,0:12:55.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to control the airplane on the ground.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.18,0:12:57.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "No, I can't use my legs."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:57.08,0:12:58.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He went, "Oh."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.29,0:13:01.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "But I can use\Nmy hands," and he said, "OK."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.11,0:13:04.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So he got over to the runway,\Nand he applied the power.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.07,0:13:06.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as we took off down the runway,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.32,0:13:10.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the wheels lifted up off the tarmac,\Nand we became airborne,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.06,0:13:14.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had the most incredible\Nsense of freedom.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.66,0:13:17.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Andrew said to me,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.24,0:13:20.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as we got over the training area,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.97,0:13:22.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You see that mountain over there?"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.25,0:13:24.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "Yeah."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.82,0:13:29.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he said, "Well, you take the controls,\Nand you fly towards that mountain."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.32,0:13:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as I looked up, I realized
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.80,0:13:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that he was pointing\Ntowards the Blue Mountains,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.27,0:13:36.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the journey had begun.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.50,0:13:40.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I took the controls,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.90,0:13:42.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was flying.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.98,0:13:45.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was a long, long way\Nfrom that spinal ward.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.94,0:13:48.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew right then\Nthat I was going to be a pilot.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.71,0:13:52.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Didn't know how on Earth\NI'd ever pass a medical.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.37,0:13:53.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.50,0:13:56.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I'd worry about that later,\Nbecause right now, I had a dream.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.78,0:14:00.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I went home, I got a training\Ndiary out, and I had a plan.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.08,0:14:03.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I practiced my walking\Nas much as I could,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.83,0:14:06.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I went from the point\Nof two people holding me up ...
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.57,0:14:09.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to one person holding me up ...
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.97,0:14:12.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the point where I could\Nwalk around the furniture
Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.46,0:14:14.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as long as it wasn't too far apart.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.22,0:14:15.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I made great progression,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.98,0:14:18.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the point where I could walk\Naround the house,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.29,0:14:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,holding onto the walls, like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.42,0:14:22.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Mom said she was forever following me,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.68,0:14:24.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wiping off my fingerprints.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.20,0:14:26.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.58,0:14:28.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at least she always knew where I was.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.74,0:14:30.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:30.84,0:14:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So while the doctors continued to operate
Dialogue: 0,0:14:33.34,0:14:35.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and put my body back together again,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.42,0:14:37.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went on with my theory study.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:38.07,0:14:42.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then eventually, amazingly,\NI passed my pilot's medical,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.42,0:14:44.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that was my green light to fly.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.65,0:14:47.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I spent every moment I could\Nout at that flying school,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.49,0:14:49.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,way out of my comfort zone,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.07,0:14:52.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all these young guys that wanted\Nto be Qantas pilots, you know,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.17,0:14:55.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and little old hop-along me\Nin first my plaster cast,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:55.12,0:14:57.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then my steel brace,\Nmy baggy overalls,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.62,0:15:01.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my bag of medication\Nand catheters and my limp.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.22,0:15:02.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They use to look at me and think,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.86,0:15:06.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh, who is she kidding?\NShe's never going to be able to do this."
Dialogue: 0,0:15:06.16,0:15:07.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And sometimes I thought that, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.97,0:15:09.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that didn't matter,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.59,0:15:12.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because now there was something\Ninside that burned
Dialogue: 0,0:15:12.40,0:15:15.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that far outweighed my injuries.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.43,0:15:18.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And little goals\Nkept me going along the way,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.74,0:15:21.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and eventually I got\Nmy private pilot's license.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.22,0:15:26.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then I learned to navigate,\Nand I flew my friends around Australia.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.35,0:15:30.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I learned to fly\Nan airplane with two engines
Dialogue: 0,0:15:30.33,0:15:32.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I got my twin-engine rating.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.75,0:15:36.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I learned to fly in bad weather\Nas well as fine weather,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.08,0:15:37.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and got my instrument rating.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.57,0:15:41.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I got\Nmy commercial pilot's license.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:41.26,0:15:43.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I got my instructor rating.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:44.30,0:15:47.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I found myself\Nback at that same school
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.18,0:15:49.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I'd gone for that very first flight,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:49.67,0:15:51.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,teaching other people how to fly ...
Dialogue: 0,0:15:52.68,0:15:56.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just under 18 months\Nafter I'd left the spinal ward.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.82,0:16:03.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:06.58,0:16:08.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause ends)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:08.66,0:16:10.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I thought, "Why stop there?
Dialogue: 0,0:16:10.68,0:16:12.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why not learn to fly upside down?"
Dialogue: 0,0:16:12.73,0:16:13.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:13.86,0:16:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I did, and I learned\Nto fly upside down
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.67,0:16:18.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and became an aerobatics\Nflying instructor.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.02,0:16:20.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:20.89,0:16:23.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Mom and Dad? Never been up.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.90,0:16:27.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:27.39,0:16:32.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then I knew for certain\Nthat although my body might be limited,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:32.64,0:16:35.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was my spirit that was unstoppable.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.42,0:16:40.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The philosopher Lao Tzu once said,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.74,0:16:43.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"When you let go of what you are,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.77,0:16:46.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you become what you might be."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:47.20,0:16:52.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I now know that it wasn't until I let go\Nof who I thought I was
Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.50,0:16:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I was able to create\Na completely new life.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:56.48,0:17:00.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn't until I let go\Nof the life I thought I should have ...
Dialogue: 0,0:17:01.86,0:17:04.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I was able to embrace\Nthe life that was waiting for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:06.27,0:17:08.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I now know that my real strength
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.94,0:17:11.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,never came from my body.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:12.34,0:17:17.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And although my physical capabilities\Nhave changed dramatically,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:17.26,0:17:20.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who I am is unchanged.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.42,0:17:25.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The pilot light inside of me\Nwas still alight,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:25.29,0:17:28.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just as it is in each and every one of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:30.26,0:17:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that I'm not my body.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.24,0:17:35.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I also know that you're not yours.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:36.81,0:17:40.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then it no longer matters\Nwhat you look like,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:40.99,0:17:44.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where you come from,\Nor what you do for a living.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.40,0:17:51.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All that matters is that we continue\Nto fan the flame of humanity
Dialogue: 0,0:17:51.10,0:17:55.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by living our lives\Nas the ultimate creative expression
Dialogue: 0,0:17:55.06,0:17:57.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of who we really are,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:58.61,0:18:00.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we are all connected
Dialogue: 0,0:18:01.32,0:18:04.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by millions and millions of straws.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:06.06,0:18:08.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's time to join those up
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.86,0:18:10.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to hang on.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:10.90,0:18:14.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we are to move\Ntowards our collective bliss ...
Dialogue: 0,0:18:15.16,0:18:17.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's time we shed our focus\Non the physical
Dialogue: 0,0:18:17.74,0:18:21.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and instead embrace\Nthe virtues of the heart.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:21.12,0:18:23.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So raise your straws if you'll join me.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:24.70,0:18:25.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:18:25.88,0:18:27.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:27.06,0:18:32.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:18:32.13,0:18:33.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:33.48,0:18:37.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)