I Love My Physio Competition Winner!
I Love My Physio Competition Winner!
This week we have received some very exciting news.
Joshua Manning’s entry in the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s I Love My Physio Competition was crowned as the winning entry among 20 competition finalists.
To read about Josh’s incredible story of overcoming the obstacle of a traumatic bike accident and also the challenges of daily life with autism, read below. Josh submitted the entry as it reads himself.
Joshua Manning’s Entry
FLYING FREE
My name is Joshua. I am 18 years old and I am autistic. My favourite thing to do in the whole world is run. The longer the better. In 2012 I was out on a bike ride with my dad training. We were riding down Mt. Tomwin at 65km/ hr when I misjudged a turn and ran head on into a steel pole. I came off my bike and landed 100m down the road. I had a bleed to the brain and severe nerve injury to my right shoulder – I only had 3% movement. The specialist told my mum I was lucky to be alive and that my sporting dreams were over. I was shattered. Then my mum took me to Brad. Brad made no promises but said that he would get me back to the best that I could possibly be. He set up the most amazing program for me and made sure I understood all my exercises. Brad worked with me the whole way – he is an amazing person as well as the best physio ever! The next year Brad had me so strong I was the U15 National Triathlon Champion. Last year I ran the Honolulu marathon and this year I ran the Gold Coast Marathon!! I could not have done any of this without Brad. Running makes me feel really happy and I couldn’t imagine my life without it and thanks to Brad I don’t have to.
Thank You to Those Who Supported Josh
I want to send a big shout out of THANK YOU to everyone who got behind Josh in the I Love My Physio competition. Thank you for your support & taking the time to cast your vote. The support Josh has received from the community is incredible. As a young man living with autism Josh faces daily challenges. Josh’s running has given him a confidence he otherwise would likely not have had. Thank you for playing a part in Josh’s unfolding story.
From Josh’s Parents
Facebook post 15-12-15.
WOW! WOW! WOW! We just found out that Joshie (Joshua Manning) won the 2015 “I Love My Physio” competition thanks to all the votes that you guys gave him!!!! Chris and I are seriously overwhelmed by the enormous support shown to Joshie by family, friends and the Gold Coast running community by voting for his story! He works so hard, genuinely loves his running and “flying free”. This win will go so far towards helping him plan and go on his next big running adventure – stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted. There are so many people to thank, first EVERYONE who took the time to vote – all 455 of them, that’s sooooo many people – thanks! Brad Beer, Libby Maxwell and Pogo Physio – thanks!!!! Andrea King and Amanda Jane Reynolds and Claudia Watmough your rallying was sensational, the Gold Coast Parkrunners community including Varsity Lakes parkrun and Main Beach parkrun!!! Nanny, Pop, Steve and Bruce Manning (and all his cycling buddies) thanks for rallying votes and again to everyone else who voted and helped get votes we are so overwhelmed it’s not funny – thanks so much. And to the I Love My Physio competition thanks for running this competition, the prize will help take Joshie on the next steps in his running career! Thanks all!!!! If you would like to follow along Joshie’s running adventures check out his page HERE.
Brad Beer (APAM)
Physiotherapist, Author You CAN Run Pain Free!, Founder POGO Physio
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