Christina Vithoulkas was riding high on life as a motocross and freestyle motorcyclist in September last year when a mistimed jump left her with a broken spine.

Key points: Christina Vithoulkas became a paraplegic after crashing her motorbike during a jump in September 2018

Christina Vithoulkas became a paraplegic after crashing her motorbike during a jump in September 2018 She has defied doctors' expectations and has been back riding a two-wheel motorcycle

She has defied doctors' expectations and has been back riding a two-wheel motorcycle Ms Vithoulkas has been sharing her positive attitude with students

In an instant she became a paraplegic, with complete loss of movement and feeling below her T5 vertebrae.

Ms Vithoulkas's injury left her unable to walk again and needing help with some of the most basic, everyday tasks.

But the love of family, friends, and complete strangers has given her a new perspective on life, and remarkably, it has made the 24-year-old a happier person.

She said she often found herself curbing her positivity because she knew people would find her perspective hard to believe.

"It's hard when people ask me [how I am]," Ms Vithoulkas said.

"I hold back because I don't think they will believe me, that I'm doing better now than I was before my accident."

Christina Vithoulkas loved the feeling of riding and competed at both local and state levels before her accident. ( Supplied: Grant Schwartzkopff )

Back in September, Ms Vithoulkas had been motorcycle riding for five years, competing in local and state motocross titles before becoming one of Australia's first female freestyle riders.

She said she had no regrets about competing in the sport she loves.

"I know it sounds stupid, but I wouldn't take all of it back if I knew I was going to be paralysed," she said.

Breaking down stereotypes

Ms Vithoulkas has been keen to show others that having a spinal injury was not the end of the world, trying to break the stigma by speaking candidly about details of her life as a paraplegic.

After her accident, Ms Vithoulkas returned to her childhood home of Barmera in the Riverland region of South Australia.

She has used her YouTube and Instagram accounts to answer questions about topics including how she dresses and undresses, toileting, and even about her sex life and ability to have children.

She was also invited to address students at her former school, Glossop High, to share her experiences.

"I feel like if I can share [the details] and it can make them feel more comfortable, it's worth it," she said.

"I've had people message me to say one of their best mates is paralysed and I've helped them understand what their friend goes through."

Christina Vithoulkas and fiance James Wild ahead of her first solo, two-wheeler ride after the accident. ( Supplied: Christina Vithoulkas )

She said she hoped that young people who see her enjoying life, despite losing her independence, would encourage students to believe they could also overcome challenges.

"I feel like if I can get through this, the kids — if they are going through a rough patch — they can get through it too," Ms Vithoulkas said.

"It's important for people to be able to spread hope to others.

"Some people just need that one person in their life and they can change."

The day that changed her life forever

Ms Vithoulkas said she could clearly remember the jump that cost her the use of her legs.

"On my very first jump as I left the ramp I went a bit slower than I should have," she said.

"The back of my bike hit the top of the table top which threw my legs up."

Christina Vithoulkas is passionate about motorbike riding and has no regrets. ( Supplied: Grant Schwartzkopff )

She crashed her bike and landed on her head and shoulders as her body "folded in half".

Ms Vithoulkas said she knew immediately that her injuries were permanent.

"I sat there for a few minutes trying to accept the fact that I was going to live in a wheelchair for the rest of my life," she said.

The crash followed an accident only nine months earlier which had left her with a compressed T6 vertebrae.

She stopped performing jumps for a while after that — believing it was not worth the risk of further injury — but found she had lost her zest for life without the adrenaline of freestyle riding.

"You've got to think about the best day of your life. Would you want to get rid of that?" Ms Vithoulkas said.

"I'm 100 per cent truthful when I say I don't regret any of it [freestyle riding].

"It gave me so much joy [and] I grew so much as a person."

Dream of returning to competitive riding

After the accident, doctors told Ms Vithoulkas that she would also never be able to ride a two-wheel motorbike again and suggested she should move to a city to be closer to medical services.

"I just love to prove them wrong, that I can live my normal life. Just a bit differently," she said.

Christina Vithoulkas back on her bike fitted with a protective frame by Mr Wild (right) and friend Tyler Wakeford. ( Supplied: Christina Vithoulkas )

Already Ms Vithoulkas has been back on a two-wheel bike thanks to a specialist frame being installed to protect her legs.

It has been the first step in her dream to return to the sport competitively.

Gold Coast rider Andy Hensel and United States rider Bruce Cook have proved it is possible to return to freestyle riding after becoming a paraplegic.

Now Ms Vithoulkas said she wants to become the first female paraplegic motocross rider in Australia.

"Whether it takes me two years, five years, or 10 years, that's my goal. I would love to go back out there and race," she said.