That’s no small feat considering that, at age 19, Perry Cross was given just two years to live.

Yet 31 years after the rugby union accident that broke his neck and left him a C2 ventilated quadriplegic, Perry has prevailed, with sufficient accomplishments and achievements to fill multiple lifetimes.

From his powerful partnership with Hollywood’s Superman and fellow quadriplegic, the late Christopher Reeve, to creating his own foundation for spinal research, this author and motivational speaker has been awarded everything from a Member of the Order Of Australia to an honorary doctorate from Griffith University.

Over the course of these three decades, Perry has proven his Superman powers of strength and intelligence … and now he’s working on regeneration.

In fact, the ultimate gift for his 50th birthday, aside from the 800-strong sellout Everything is Possible ball being held in his name next Saturday, is that we are now on the eve of the world-first human clinical trial to treat spinal cord injury and restore movement.

With funding from the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, Griffith University scientists, led by Professor James St John, have developed tiny biological nerve bridges, made up of millions of nasal cells, which they hope will encourage nerve cells to regenerate and grow over a patient’s spinal cord injury.

Building on the groundbreaking work of Australian of the Year Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, who died in 2023, this year will see the first human transplant of these nerve bridges, with participants then to undergo intensive rehabilitation for up to one year to encourage and reinforce regeneration.

“This human trial will hopefully change the course of the lives of people with spinal cord injury,” said Perry.

“It’s incredible this is happening right here on the Gold Coast, yet so few people realise the international impact this could have.”

For Perry, this is the fruition of a dream he’s held for years, and was part of the impetus to set up his foundation back in 2010.

He said the final push for the human trials came after a discussion with Prof St John three years ago.

“The lab was working on perfecting the cell technology and I said, mate, we could work on this for the rest of time … but at some point we have to decide when it’s good enough to go.

“Other people overseas were saying they had tried this but it didn’t work so don’t bother, but Prof St James said he didn’t believe that. He believed we had perfected the cell technology to a point where it was safe to put in humans and would be effective.

“So then we sat down and looked at costs and started raising that money. Last year we got to $8.5 million, which was what we needed for a 15-person human trial, we had some huge donors who came on board to support us. Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest gave us $1m, which was amazing.

“On top of that, the Federal Government got wind of it when we made an application to the Medical Research Future Fund and they decided to double the size of the trial. So now we have 30 participants, including some from NSW and Victoria, and $15m of funding.

“The first cells will be transplanted this year and then over three years we’ll complete all 30 of the participants. Then, hopefully, the trial will be expanded internationally.”

Despite all of his work, Perry said he was not included in this initial trial.

Well, ‘not yet’ anyway.

However, he said he was proud of his contribution and both excited and optimistic about the potential results.

“I’m working on becoming part of the trial … but my condition makes it more difficult because I’m ventilated,” he said.

“We don’t want my breathing to be made worse so we need to start with people who have lower level injuries so that there is less risk.

“But, for me, the purpose of this research has always been about helping others. There are 20,000 Australians with a spinal cord injury, which is not a big number compared to other disabilities and diseases, but the cost to our community is immense.

“We want to relieve that cost burden on our governments but also improve independence.

“It’s not just about being able to get out of this chair and be able to feel and move and walk and run … but even just to be able to move a foot or a toe, or to feel the surface of my skin again. Any improvement is enormous.

“The idea is these cells can regenerate the damaged section of the spinal cord. If we can just do that, then that allows for functional improvement.

“I think we can do that. We’ve done it in testing and the team is optimistic.

“Of course, we don’t want to oversell it, there is a chance this might not be as fruitful as we think. But we have to find out. And it starts this year.”

For all of Perry’s superhero abilities, he says his hometown is the source of his strength.

In fact, he’s chatting at his old rugby union club, the Gold Coast Eagles in Southport, where trophies bearing his name still sit in the cabinets. And by his side is his best friend, Damien Holley, whose car business, Prestige Automotive Group, is also the main sponsor of his upcoming birthday ball, which is the largest fundraiser for the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation.

“I couldn’t be prouder or more grateful of this city and its support,” said Perry.

“It’s amazing how a few things lined up for this all to work out … there had to be someone in my position with a high-level spinal cord injury that needed new technology, there had to be someone like the late Professor Allan McKay to develop it, and there had to be incredible facilities like Griffith University and the Gold Coast University Hospital, which is a co-partner, which are able to make this a reality.

“The Gold Coast is the perfect place for this really, we’ve always been a city that is not afraid to try new things, that’s part of our entrepreneurial spirit.

“That extends to all of those businesses and philanthropists who have donated and helped this trial, it aligns with their spirit of having a go. To see this city become a world leader in research, funded by locals and operating out of Gold Coast facilities, it’s amazing how far we’ve come.

“There is no denying that there have been some real roller-coaster moments in my 50 years, but what really sticks in my mind is how strong this community is. After all this time, I’m still surrounded by my best mates and our friendships have just grown stronger. It’s incredible to do this meaningful work together.

“Damien and I have known each other forever, we played footy together, we work on the gala together, it’s heartwarming as a Gold Coaster to see the city support me. And I will always support it.”

When it comes to turning 50, Perry said he never took a single day for granted.

He said that, ultimately, he considered himself lucky in life.

“I mean, it sucks that I had to have the accident, but that’s just life. So many people are born with disabilities and plenty of fit and healthy people don’t even make it to 50.

“I feel lucky in so many ways. I’ve been so fortunate to be able to travel, meet incredible people and have all of these experiences that I would never have had otherwise.

“It feels good to know that I have made a contribution to the world, I’ve made some sort of difference.”

As for his actual 50th birthday, Perry said he had something special planned.

“The team from Making Strides where I do my rehab are bringing this frame to the ball, which allows me to stand, supported.

“I can’t feel the surface of my skin, but when you stand it’s so different, it feels so good to be out of the chair.

“To be standing on stage before 800 people, it’s going to be pretty awesome.”