Xavier Edwards unable to return to Echuca College after BMX accident due to admin confusion

A teenager desperate to go back to his Echuca high school after a biking accident that left him a quadriplegic is facing a bureaucratic nightmare.

Xavier Edwards and his father Jase

A quadriplegic teenager desperate to return to school is being denied an education because of a bureaucratic bungle.

Xavier Edwards, 15, lost the use of his arms and legs after a horrific accident while riding his bike with friends in Echuca in April 2021.

Despite desperate pleas from his family to Echuca College, the Victorian education department and education minister Ben Carol, Xavier is receiving just one hour of Ronald McDonald House tutoring each week at home.

The family began its push for Xavier to re-enter formal education when he returned home in June 2022.

However, an application for the modifications Xavier needs – including wider doorways and a specialised bathroom – seems to be stuck in no man’s land between the public school and its education department.

Xavier Edwards became a quadriplegic after he fell from his bike while riding with his friends in Echuca.

On Thursday Xavier’s grandmother Roz Edwards wrote to Mr Carol imploring him to help speed up the 15-year-old’s return to school.

“Echuca College have not been able to expedite his return in the 2023 school year or identify and complete modifications to enable his return at the start of the 2024 year,” she wrote.

Xavier Edwards in the hospital.

Xavier Edwards became a quadriplegic after he fell from his bike while riding with his friends in Echuca.

“At a meeting with staff at the College we were informed they will definitely not be ready for his return to start 2024. They do have carers identified and ready to be employed to aid in facilitating Xavier’s return to school

“My question to you is, why after all this time is Xavier being denied access to his right to an education and to much needed socialisation within his school community?”

Ms Edwards said Xavier requires better access to the area of the school he would take classes in as well as a private bathroom area to change his catheters.

Ms Edwards said Xavier required better access to his classrooms as well as a private bathroom area to change medical equipment.

“A space to go if things all get too much would also be ideal as it will be quite overwhelming for him,” she said.

Ms Edwards said she was under the impression Echuca College had applied for funding through the government’s Accessible Buildings Program.

“The Disability and Inclusion Officer at the school has done everything they can to expedite this process but the delay appears to be sitting with the department,” she told the Herald Sun.

Xavier Edwards is only receiving one hour a week of tutoring.

A spokesman from the education department wouldn’t comment on record about the status of the school’s application but said they were working with all concerned parties to support Xavier’s return to school.

“We know this has been a difficult time for the student and his family and we’re making his return to school as smooth as possible and providing the necessary extra supports,” he said.

“We are working with the student, his family, the school and his medical team to provide the specific modifications and equipment required to support his return to school as soon as possible, including training for staff.”

Ms Edwards told the Herald Sun her grandson was “isolated” at home and desperate to return to school.

“He has friends and family call in but his days are long. His nights are long,” she said.

“He doesn’t have a lot to do during the day.”