“What he has achieved puts all our achievements in perspective. We talk about courage and overcoming our fears in riding big waves, but I really believe Barney shows more commitment, dedication and bravery every single day he tries to walk.”

– Mark Matthews, big wave surfer.

Barney on his surf board, with his friend Mick Fanning.

Back in 1998, at age 19, Barney Miller was a promising surfer and the owner of a growing whitewater rafting business. Then he was then involved in a car accident near his home at Sawtell, on Australia’s east coast.

He was air lifted to hospital in Sydney and pronounced dead on arrival. After a massive fight, Barney survived the ordeal, only to be told he was a paraplegic and would never to walk again.