About me
The last photo before my accident. One of my favourites, everyones so happy. Love my Family
Was always doing something outside, love the beach.
On June 23rd 2012 my life changed forever. A normal incident in a normal game of Aussie rules football left me with C5-C6 quadriplegia. In an instant I went from a 23 year old who never sat still, to spending 8 months in hospital and looking at the prospect of spending my life in a wheelchair. Before the incident I played any sport and would be up for any outdoor activity and even quit a commerce degree at the thought of sitting down to work all day. Things have definitely changed for me.
Until recently, my family and I had no idea about spinal cord injuries. This is why I want to share my experiences of living with a spinal cord injury and the difficulties that come with it.
The support I have received from family, friends and even people I haven’t met has been unbelievable, I just want to show you all what you have helped me achieve and that I’m going to live a normal and happy life, even if it is in a chair. Beau Vernon November 2012
Couldn’t get enough of my footy. Lived and breathed it.
Beau Vernon December 2018
- Current Motivational Speaker.
- Current Director of Interact Australia.
- Current Senior Coach of Phillip Island Football Netball Club. (Coached Leongatha for 3 years, 3 Grand Finals and 1 Premiership. Coached Phillip Island for 1 year and 1 Premiership).
- Current Ambassador for wings for life world run.
- Currently Studying Positive Psychology.
- Pride of Australia Medal Holder.
- Finished a business degree at RMIT University.
- Husband and Father of two little legends.
- Actively Involved in Sport. Surfer, Kayaker, Cardio (boxing, weights, interval training), Hand Cycling (2016 National Champion), darts, table tennis, golf.
- Despite being in a wheelchair, I love life, and definitely still don’t sit still.
- I want to be an advocate to show that people with a disability are as much apart of society as anyone else and that we should raise the bar on what can be achieved.
Passions
- To have a positive influence on people
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Sport – Particularly AFL
- Training the Brain
- Learning
- Mental Health and why some people prosper
- Inclusion and Disability Awareness
- Culture
- Health and Fitness
- Family and Friends
- Work Life balance
- Achieving Things
- Community
- Stepping Outside of my comfort zone and living the best life I can.
Beau Vernon 
I know you probably don’t want your first comment to be from your girlfriend, but I wanted you to know that you are all I think about when I am not with you. I think about what our life together will be and it makes me smile. You’re the best person I know, being with you makes me want to be a better person. I know you will change peoples lives one day and I am so glad I get to be there while you do it. xx
Beau the word inspiration is an understatement, they way you have ‘picked up’ and got on with things is just amazing:) I’m very proud of you:)
You are an inspiration Beau! What an amazing attitude you have xxx
Your such a great person, fit and healthy great footy player and you drove me home on one night I thank you good luck with your journey beau 🙂
Thank you for sharing Beau, you are truly an inspiration 🙂
Wow beau, you truly are amazing, your improvements are massive and you should be very proud of your self.
And Lucy, you are just gorgeous! You can really feel the love between you guys. I’m always asking Sam how you both are, as you are always in my thoughts! Keep up the good work! Xxxx
Beau, I have followed your courageous story of strength and recovery and have grown to admire and respect you despite having not met you. Until I read your story, I only knew one other person who inspired me so deeply. Her name is Janine Shepherd and would recommend her books to you and your family. Truly inspirational. Best of luck with your recovery. Warmest wishes, Tania Steffen (Traralgon).
All the best with your recovery Beau. I stumbled across your site through facebook, as a friend had liked it. Very inspirational stuff after you were dealt a pretty tough hand with the accident. I look forward to following your progress and I reckon you’ll have a big impact in whatever you do.
All the best with your recovery Beau. I stumbled across your site through facebook, as a friend had liked it. Very inspirational stuff after you were dealt a pretty tough hand with the accident. I look forward to following your progress and I reckon you’ll have a big impact in whatever you do.
Beau thank you so much for sharing your story with us, there has not been a day that goes by that I do not think of you and Lucy – you are both wonderful people and truly amazing. Warmest wishes, Gill M
Beau your an amazing guy with the support of an amazing family and girlfriend. I admired you on the footy field but my admiration for what you are now achieving far surpasses any feat I saw you do on the field. Thank you for providing us with the great insight into your injury and your recovery which continues to inspire everyone who hears your storey.
Look forward to following your amazing progress.
Beau you know I think you are absolutely fantastic, and it brings a smile to my face see your amazing determination and sense of humor even with all this sh!#! going on.
You must have worked all weekend on this. You and Lucy have done a fabulous job together, what a team !!
Hello Beau. My husband and I discovered you through Yarra Bend’s Beau Vernon Appeal Golf Day. Your story has touched us deeply. Thank you for sharing this window into your world via this blog. We will take time to look through everything. Like you, we did not know much about spinal injuries, however your blog will surely help us to better understand the complexities you face every day. Your positive energy will surely recharge anyone who watches. Be proud of the wonderful contribution you have made here. It creates a powerful connection. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Catherine & Kristian Flanagan
Good evening Beau
I discovered your story by your aunt Tania. She trains us hard every am at 6. I am a Physio at manly hospital working in ICU. You totally rock Beau utterly awesome. Writing a blog is helping us, physio out there, understand better what patient go through. Helps us to be more humble, patient, target focused and realistic. I wish you luck in your rehab. You can always email me for support. I’ll b working super hard with Tania. No frigging excuses! your aunt is so so proud of you. Beaxxx
Hope everything goes well with rehab, you are such an inspiration,
From Millie & Gabi- Singapore
p.s See you in Brazil at the paralympics !
“You have to keep your integrity at the forefront of everything because without it you have nothing at all” Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith V.C.
Mate you have bucket loads of integrity. What you are achieving personally and contributing through the wider community with a page such as this shows adversity is no barrier to making the world a better place. All the best Beau.
Beau, I have followed your progress in the local papers. You are a strong and remarkable young man, and the whole community is strengthened by your strength of will. Hang in there!
Beau, wishing you all the best in your recovery and journey through life. Your positivity and resilience is a true inspiration!
keep up the hard yards mate just spoke with dad he is very proud
PS great blog
keep up the good work, progress is amazing.
rob jamieson and family
Hi Beau
I like you have had an almost identical injury playing Aussie Rules back in 1989. As soon as I heard about your accident I contacted your club and spoke to your president and left a message for your dad Darryl if he wanted to call me. Not long after we had a conversation on the phone and I offered myself as a recource for you and your family if you felt like you or they needed to talk to someone who has been through it all that you could relate to. That offer still stands if you think you or your family might benefit from speaking to me. You seem to have a pretty good handle on everything from what I can see, but I would be more than happy to pass on any knowledge that might help you. If you want to contact me feel free to do so. All the very best,
Kind Regards Gary
Merry Christmas, Beau. Keep up the hard work in 2013, your blog is terrific. Lots of people are inspired by you. Best wishes to your family. Cheers, Catherine & Kristian Flanagan
I love to see updates of your blog mate, always checking in to see if you have added in anything new. Keep up the great work mate your such and inspiration to all. All the best Champ!
Beau,
I am an old friend of your mum and dad’s. I have lived overseas and interstate for 26 years but did see them a couple of years ago at a 50th.
I am following your story closely and thinking of you.
Good on you champ!
Mate you are a bloody legend! Keep staying positive everyone is behind you. Knowing you will get better every day. Keep willing yourself and challenging yourself to improve on little things. Take care champ! Singha
Way to go Beau! I went to school with your dad and cheered him on at Richmond. Keep up the great work and stay positive!
You are an inspiration , thank you & God Bless,
Leanda
Beau, I work with your lovely cousin Sarah @ Melbourne Pathology, I was asking about u the other day how your going, she told me to check out your blog! WOW, I am blown away…. What an amazing person you are…. Carla Macgeorge
Beau,
Love your website/blog.
I can relate to your experiences as I have a similar injury level (C4) since May 2000.
Your openness and honesty on the daily challenges you face is refreshing. A high level SCI may have limited the use of your body, but it certainly has not limited your mind.
With an obvious positive attitude and fire in the belly, I know you will achieve some amazing things.
I recently tried surfing with an organisation called the disabled surfers association and it was brilliant I highly recommend giving it a crack – http://disabledsurfers.org/
Keep up the great work.
Andy Farrell
hi Beau, I have never actually met you but have watched you growing up. Not in a stalkerish way haha. My kids went to school with you at newhaven.Charlotte and Alex Durand. I recall many years at presentation night when we all knew you because you collected every possible sports award.We all looked at you just admiring your strength,ability and gorgeous nature.I just want to let you know that there are lots of us out here that often think of you and your beautiful family.We all still look at you with all those amazing qualities that you will never lose. You have so much more and have done so much for all of us simply sharing your increadible story with all of us.Please know that you inspire my beautiful children every day as we often chat about how you are going.I cannot imagine how proud your family is of you, courage ,determination ,generosity and a never give up attitude !!!!! You will do anything you set your mind to !!! I have never been more sure of anything.We are all still out here thinking of you on your good, bad and ugly days but we are so thankful that we have had the opportunity to cross paths with a true championxxxxx lou durand (derricks}
Hi Lou,
Thanks so much for the lovely message.I am walking (wheeling) a little bit taller after reading it haha
I dont really like saying it to much as it sounds so cliche but I am truly thankful for all the support I’ve received, little messages like this go a long way and make me want to keep pushing my self to achieve great things.
Hope you and the family are well
Your story is truly inspiring. As a footballer myself I couldn’t imagine the road you have had to go on to be where you are today. Your positive attitude toward life and never say die attitude is something everyone can learn from. I guess the dissapointing thing is that it takes hearing a story such as yours to realise how lucky we are in life. I strive to make the most of every day like yourself and look on the bright side of life. I wish you all the best in your future And I have no doubt your footy club is in good hands. Your story is one everyone can learn from. Legend.
Hi Darcy,
Thanks heaps for the message mate, so sorry for the late reply. I hope you went well with footy this year.
It’s annoying (myself included) that it takes for something bad to happen in our life or someone close to us before we realise how good we have it or before we evaluate where we are at.
Cheers for the message and I’m glad you could get something out of my story
wow you are so strong in hope
Just saw your episode on open mike. One of the most positive & inspirational people i have listened to. Best episode of open mike to date!
Thanks for putting life into perspective.
Cheers
Thanks very much for your kind words Graham. Cheers
Fantastic to meet you at our PD day in Melbourne. Bomber was looking forward to doing the same as he had spoken to you many times via text. The GOLD group were all inspired by your presentation (and it certainly livened up the financial planning PD day!) Even though it was the first time I had met you, I reckon that the permanent grin was largely due to the arrival of Layla! A very special time for you and Lucy. Layla needs to be congratulated for her choice in parents as they will definitely live up to all her expectations! Thanks for giving so much of yourself.
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for your lovely message. It was nice to meet you as well and I’m glad you enjoyed my presentation.
Exciting times ahead for Lucy and myself, it’s amazing how instantly in love you can be with someone.
Regards,
Beau
I just want to say you are an inspiration to all and are still to this day changing people around the world. Keep up the great work 🙂
Thanks Tyrone, really appreciate the message mate. Means a lot, people reaching out. Apologies I had only just seen this comment. All the best with everything that you do.
Beau gave a talk to my Kinesiology class in Canada. It was a great presentation and Beau delivered the information in such a personable manner. Based on the discussion we had in class after Beau’s presentation, he definitely left a positive lasting impression on the students! Cheers again Beau!