TOLGA helicopter pilot David Goodrich yesterday made a triumphant return to the Tableland, four months after a horror accident in Townsville almost claimed his life.
The 36-year-old was braced for a six to eight month hospital stay and faced the daunting prospect of never walking again but he has beaten the odds.
He can already walk a short distance with the support of ankle braces and parallel bars and can stand for 10 seconds unassisted using only the wall for support.
And with his driver’s licence back and a few minor modifications to the family car, Mr Goodrich is back driving.
"I never once thought I would be wheelchair-bound," he said.
"If we keep trying and push harder, doctors say home can be a great place to be, and I’m so happy to be back."
The Goodrich family credit the remarkable recovery to a positive attitude, a commitment to his rehabilitation and a new business bought only two weeks before the accident.
Each day, he spends up to five hours working on his rehabilitation and huge chunks of time setting up Outdoor Game and Marine, which, despite his accident, is set to open in September.
"We have always lived life to the full because you only get one shot," he said.
"The accident has just been another chapter in our lives. It’s no tragedy and there is no looking back."
Life changed for the Goodrich’s in April when the helicopter he was flying plummeted 20m and smashed into the ground while Mr Goodrich was stringing high-voltage powerlines. It took fire crews 45 minutes to cut him free.
"I was very fortunate an excellent neurosurgeon operated on me within hours of the accident," he said.
"He stabilised the back, cleaned around the spinal cord and fused the vertebrae above and below the damaged one and it’s one of the reason’s I’ve recovered so well.
"But that’s not the only bit of luck we have had. The staff at Townsville hospital’s rehabilitation centre and Cairns Distance Education have been brilliant.
"Luke, our son, is only in grade two and they really came to the party and set us up and made a smooth transition for him so he could keep up with his schooling."
Mr Goodrich still has many months of rehabilitation ahead but as far as he and his family is concerned being fully mobile again is a certainty.
