Quadraplegic Steve Ralph raises funds for spinal research program

The 26-year-old suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, which left him a quadraplegic, after diving into a pool and fracturing his neck. In March, he will tackle a 10km run.

Steve Ralph suffered a spinal injury around 12 months ago and is raising funds for a revolutionary new spinal injury research program at UTS. Picture: John Appleyard

Just over a year ago, Steve Ralph’s life changed forever.

The 26-year-old suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, which left him a quadraplegic, after diving into a pool and fracturing his neck.

Before the life-altering accident, Mr Ralph said he was an adventurous, outdoor-loving guy “without a care in the world”.

“I was a big fan of kayaking and hiking but the thing I loved most was travelling,” he said.

“The injury changed all of that, it took away the spontaneity and flexibility of my life.

“For me it was a big adjustment. I knew no one with an injury like this one.”

Endless hours of therapy, support from his family and friends and a passion to one day walk again has left him preparing to face his next toughest hurdle — tackling a 10km run.

Steve Ralph is determined to one day walk again. Picture: John Appleyard

“I am really looking forward to the challenge and raising much-needed funds for a cause that is very close to my heart and others that have been impacted in the same way,” Mr Ralph told the Advocate. “For me, the past 12 months has been a battle of acceptance and keeping myself hopeful that I will walk again — all you need is motivation and a desire to improve.”

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The determined Berowra resident is raising funds to support ground-breaking spinal cord research programs at the University of Technology, Sydney.

“I am very excited to be part of the event and pushing myself as far as I can,” he said. “I will be using it as a vehicle to demonstrate the urgency for more spinal cord research and help those researchers come up with a revolutionary curative treatment.”

Unable to move from the neck down, Mr Ralph will rely on his close friends to help him complete the run on March 2.

Mr Ralph said he was determined to do anything he could do to help others overcome a “horribly unfair and life-changing condition”.

“I also feel I need to do as much as I can with the time I have to raise further awareness,” he said. “Because at the end of this long journey, I want to be standing on my own two feet again.”

To support Steve, visit gofundme.com/go-ralphy