IF Mackay primary school students are going to take notice of anybody about spinal safety then it will probably be Wayne Leo.
Mr Leo has spoken to more than 245,000 children about the danger of risky behaviour such as diving into water before checking its depth, not wearing a seatbelt or playing sports recklessly.
The Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) presenter, who has been a volunteer since it began 22 years ago, will share his story of how he sustained his spinal cord injury, and what life is like in a wheelchair with almost 1400 children.
Mr Leo will give some serious lessons.
“There is currently no cure for a spinal cord injury,” he said.
“Your spinal cord has the consistency of a banana and once it’s damaged, you have to use a wheelchair for life.
“I want to share my story with as many students as possible to prevent them from having a lifelong disability.
“I’m encouraging the kids I speak to in the next few weeks before school holidays begin, to take even more care than usual this summer as this is the time when the majority of spinal cord injuries occur.”
Mr Leo will speak to Prep to Year 7 at Bucasia State School on Tuesday, December 1, Andergrove State School on Wednesday, December 2, Swayneville State School on Thursday, December 3, Moranbah State School and Moranbah East State School on Friday, December 4.
