Pride of Australia: Liam Knight nominated for his White Knight Foundation

PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA: Liam Knight will tell you he’s “just some guy who survived an attack”. But the truth is he’s one of NSW’s most ­inspiring stories.

Liam Knight at his Frenchs Forest home / Picture: Troy Snook

A MODEST Liam Knight will tell you he’s “just some guy who survived an attack”.

But the truth is the young man is one of NSW’s most ­inspiring stories.

He was speared with a steel pole which sliced through his head in an unprovoked attack at a party on Sydney’s North Shore.

Aged just 17 when he woke from an induced coma in hospital unable to move his body or talk coherently, he found him asking: “How can I kill myself when I can’t even move?”

More than three years after the 18th birthday bash which completely altered the course of his life, Liam has had to re-learn basic human functions.

And his indomitable will power and determination has landed the 21-year-old a nomination for a Pride of Australia award.

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Liam Knight with his brothers Todd, Shane, and Kyle / Picture: Braden Fastier

“People always ask why I’m always happy and I say, ‘Why not? It’s fun being happy’,” he said.

“What happened to me was frightening — but it has helped me to not sweat the small things.”

Although Liam is suing his attacker for damages to make an example of him, his focus is to educate young people against binge drinking and to help rehabilitate victims of youth violence through a charity he set up with his three brothers called the White Knight Foundation.

He retells the story of his fight to learn to walk and talk again with the help of physiotherapists and speech therapist to warn of the consequences of drinking to excess. Today he walks with the aid of a walking stick and trains at the gym to rebuild his muscles.

Liam Knight recovering in hospital.

“I can walk 100m to the shop without one (a stick). I can feed myself now, go to the toilet without help and string entire sentences together.

“It’s been a massive journey but I’ve learned to be ­patient,” he said.

“I want to make something of my life and to do something worthy, though I haven’t figured out what yet, and if people can gain inspiration from what I’ve gone through, then great.”

On Sunday the brothers are organising a 5.6km fundraising walk from Spit Bridge to Manly.

Liam will be ­taking part.

For more information visit: www.thewhiteknightfoundation.com

“People always ask why I’m always happy and I say, ‘Why not? It’s fun being happy’,” says Liam / Picture: Troy Snook

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