Winner of the Pride of Australia Award for Courage, Matthew Ames, thanks those who have helped in his recovery

IN HIS OWN WORDS: The dad with no limbs, Matthew Ames, on the hard road to recovery - and the smiles that helped along the way.

Matthew with the Mater Private Rehabilitation Team. Picture: Mark Calleja

MY name is Matthew Ames. I have been offered the opportunity to write a few words as a nominee for the Pride of Australia Award for Courage. It's one I would like to take up to acknowledge those who have been as brave as me, if not more so, in the course of my journey.

In getting to this point, I have to first acknowledge Matt Golinski and Nigel Hyland, who were also nominated as Queensland finalists in the Courage category. To have been considered for the award along with such amazing people was a great honour. Being part of the Pride of Australia Award has given me the opportunity to meet wonderful and inspiring "glass half full" people who look for hope and achievement, and make the most out of difficult situations. I wish, truly, that this was an award to be shared among many. There should be such a thing as a prize for all players in this game.

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I initially accepted the nomination for this award in the hope that others involved in my journey would be recognised for their efforts. While my name is the nominee in the Courage category, I know it is actually those around me who have demonstrated great courage The surgical team who removed my limbs to save me and who offered my family hope at a time when there was almost none, were courageous. My wife Diane, in agreeing to let them try and loving me unconditionally, was courageous. My children, who wanted to say goodbye to me before my operation when they were scared and confused, were courageous.

Matthew with the Mater Private Rehabilitation Team. Picture: Mark Calleja

But this courage was made possible by support. I know now that the medical team were united in their approach and determination to try to save me, and supported by an incredible wider team of specialists and nurses. My wife and children were supported by family and close friends, which made the decision to save me the only course of action. My rehabilitation specialists worked as a team and probably pushed a few boundaries to make sure I was going to be looked after and that my family was included in my recovery. My friends and former work colleagues who were nervous about coming to see the new me were supported by other friends and members of our community who reassured them that I was exactly the same, just a bit (or a lot) shorter.

Matthew's sister Kate tells of his harrowing and inspirational journey

That I am here and have done so well is because everyone around me stepped out of their comfort zone to support me, at every stage. And they continue to do so.

But I am not alone. Everyday, someone like me wakes up to another beautiful day, and those brave enough to face their own hurdles, and maybe a few stares, take a step outside to see what the world holds in store.

One of the first things I noticed as a person with a disability once I was able to go home, was that I had actually never really noticed many people with a disability before in public. I became aware, for the first time, that simply getting out the door is a feat which for some, like me, takes hours of preparation.

To get clean, have a shave, eat breakfast, often done with the support of carers or loved ones, can be exhausting. I felt like going up to anyone with a disability who was outside their own house and saying: "Congratulations, you got out of the house!" I still feel like that. I would high five you if I had hands, but a smile and a nod will have to do for the time being if I pass you in the street.

Courageous winner says thank you

Throughout my recovery, I have been shown the greatest of kindness by everyone. For me, it has been easy to be brave when people are kind. There's a safety that comes from knowing that people will keep you safe with their words and actions, no matter what. These people will know that there is a time and place to tell you that everything will be fine (even when they don't think it will be), that you are beautiful (even if they really think you look horrendous) and that you can do something (even if they think you can't). But they will also know there is a time and place to push you and to be honest, even if it's confronting, knowing they will be there to help when you are ready to accept or challenge the truth.

Those close to me have willed me to get better, supported me, and loved me unconditionally. Those not so close to me have demonstrated a level of compassion and kindness I really didn't know possible.

To those who have shown me support in any way, thank you. I hope to repay this kindness through helping others, having started by sharing my story and lobbying for changes to the rules to help others in my situation. It seems that people are listening.

Courage is the ability and willingness to face adversity. Every one of us faces adversity in our life, so it is worth asking the question: What gives us the strength to face adversity? I'm sure the answer to this is different for everybody. For me, it comes from burning desire to be the best I can be for those I love and to contribute to making the world a better place. I simply give thanks every day to have the opportunity to continue to pursue these desires.

Visit Matthew Ames' website at www.renovatingmatthew.com

READERS CAN VOTE FOR THEIR FAVOURITE MEDALLIST UNTIL OCTOBER 28, WITH THE WINNER ANNOUNCED AT THE NATIONAL PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA CEREMONY ON NOVEMBER 15. VOTE AT PRIDEOFAUSTRALIA.COM.AU