Injuries won't stand between Dave Jacka and his dreams of flight

DAVE Jacka was once led to believe that his contribution in life after becoming a quadriplegic would be little more than licking stamps.

Dave Jakka

DAVE Jacka was once led to believe that his contribution in life after becoming a quadriplegic would be little more than licking postage stamps.

But the Victorian man was determined that what little function he retained in his body would be used to achieve greatness.

The 44-year-old's most recent feat was becoming the first quadriplegic to fly solo around Australia, which has led to a Pride of Australia nomination.

"I feel very privileged to be nominated," Mr Jacka said.

"There are a lot of other people in the community that are out there doing amazing things and I feel being honoured to fit in that category."

Mr Jacka set out from Tooradin airport on his 38-day journey after six years of planning.

He had became a quadriplegic at 19 after a late-night dash for cigarettes ended with his car wrapped around a tree.

He broke the fifth vertebrae in his neck, leaving him with limited arm function, no ability to move his fingers and paralysis from the armpits down.

Drawing on the determination shown by his third cousin, Victoria Cross winner in World War I, Lance-Corporal Albert Jacka, he found ways to defy his disability.

In 1996 he took part in the the Australian Wheelchair Rugby Squad at the Paralympic Games and went on to become a manager at Melbourne Water.

In April he set off in a Jabiru J230 plane, with controls modified so he could blow and suck to power the throttle and use enlarged buttons and switches to fly the plane.

"I wanted to show people that we really are only limited by what we think that you can do," he said.

"I feel as though I achieved that."

Pride of Australia recognises Victoria's unsung heroes. Nominations in 10 categories can be made until 5pm, Tuesday, July 16 at: prideofaustralia.com.au