For Australian surfer, Barney Miller, his everyday life includes the typical getting dressed, drinking a smoothie, kissing his significant other, and surfing — without the use of his legs and limited use of his arms. Miller, who suffered a spinal cord injury in an car accident 14 years ago, lost the use of his legs and has limited motion range of his arms. Despite his physical disability, the Australian surfer, has traded in his wheelchair for a surf board, to catch some waves with the help of his friends.
“I’m not alone. Over three million people in the world are paralyzed because of a spinal cord injury. And every year, dozens more,” said Miller in the video. The quadriplegic surfer is the subject of the film, No Means Go, by Trinity Films LLC, and also is the ambassador for the Wings for Life World Run, which raises money for spinal cord injury research. The running race is an event that will take place on May 4, 2014 in 35 different locations around the world at the same time.
The Australian surfer has an active Twitter page where he allows his followers to see his “journey of blood, sweat, tears & waves,” as he continues to regain control of his body by learning how to walk again each day. His message is simple: “If I inspire people doing what I do, stoked!” Miller encourages others like him to not let their condition define them, but let their journey define who they are.
Miller who is a son, a best friend, and a soon-to-be-married man, continues to inspire other quadriplegics. With plans to get married in 2015, Miller said, “Every day I dream because I know I will walk again and I will dance at my wedding.” His live-in girlfriend helps him put on his surf gear every morning, making him feel he is not bound to his wheelchair.
By Lizette Borreli
