About
Biography
Nic Emmerson is a person living with significant disabilities after being involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident on Friday January 6th 2012. Prior to that fateful day, he was like any other ordinary 16-year-old teenager.
Nic had many friends. He loved playing sport and admits that he also loved going out with his mates and causing a bit of mischief.
Nic was at the end of Year 11 at Applecross Senior High School in Western Australia and he had a part time job as a sales assistant at the Melville Bunnings Warehouse. He enjoyed annual holidays away in places such as Bali and Thailand with his family and his best mate Kai and was lucky enough to spend the occasional long weekends away down south. January 6th 2012 started out like any other normal morning. Nic had a late breakfast, said goodbye to his Dad, then headed out on his 50cc Kymco motor scooter to catch up with one of his good friends. They had planned to meet up down by the river near Blackwall Reach in Bicton.
Sadly, he never caught up with that mate!
On the way to the river, Nic was hit by a school bus that was travelling at 60 km/hr and unfortunately both Nic and his Kymco scooter came to a dramatic halt. He was left unconscious and seriously injured by the side of the road and that was the last trip that Nic and his scooter would ever make.
Nic's life changed dramatically on that day as he ended up in hospital for the next 12 months on a long journey of intensive care and rehabilitation therapy.
He could no longer breathe by himself and had to have a tracheostomy tube inserted into his windpipe. He had to have a feeding peg inserted into his stomach and It was 10 long months later before Nic could eat his next meal.
Nic can no longer talk and has had to re-learn how to communicate with an alphabet board and speech application on his Ipad. He had to endure many surgical procedures and has been confined to a wheelchair for most of his time since his accident.
Despite such incredible hardship, Nic tells us that living a life as a person with a disability can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling if you put your mind to it and surround yourself with positive like minded people.
Seven News Young Achiever Awards 2019
Robotic Exoskeleton 2022
Pool Walking 2023
Nic may not have won a gold medal at the Olympic Games or competed in the Boston Marathon, but what he has managed to achieve since his serious motor vehicle accident is absolutely remarkable. He has astounded many medical professionals who were predicting the worst case scenario given the extensive nature of his injuries.
Achievements
October 2013
Nic spoke on the radio using a speech application on his iPad to assist National Disability Services (NDS) with their push to introduce No Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance into Western Australia.
April 2014
He demonstrated that he has a creative side and has taught himself how to paint.
Sept 2014
Despite limited functionality with his right hand and almost zero functionality with his left arm and hand, Nic taught himself how to paddle and has now taken to the water in a kayak and also taught himself how to swim without buoyancy aids.
Oct 2014
Nic wrote and self published his own book ‘No Limits’.
Nov 2014
He taught himself how to ride a purpose built trike with one hand and participated in the Santos Great Bike Ride For Homeless Youth.
Oct 2015
He Achieved a Certificate in Business Administration at Central TAFE.
June 2016
Nic was asked to be a joint keynote speaker at The Occupational Therapy Australia Conference which was held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth.
Oct 2016
He produced a 30 minute documentary entitled ‘No Limits’ which is a remarkable story outlining his journey of recovery and rehabilitation since his accident.
Dec 2016
Nic did a tandem sky dive in Western Australia for his 21st Birthday.
May 2017
Nic completed a Certificate in ‘Writing Books For Children And Young Adults’.
Jan 2018
Nic completed a Creative Writing Certificate through the Australian Writers Centre.
June 2018 – He started his first job working in the Marketing Department with Access Group International.
July 2018
Nic’s First International Conference Presentation.
Jan 2019
He passed his Motor Vehicle Driving Test in a modified vehicle.
May 2019
Nic was nominated for the 2019 Seven News Young Achievers Award.
Aug 2021
Nic received an award of excellence trophy from Access Group Australia for outstanding performance during the year.
Jan 2022
Nic wrote and self published his second book.
Since the start of Nic’s public speaking career in 2016 he has been invited to present at many more public speaking events and seminars including High Schools, Universities, Hospitals, Not for Profit Organisations, Rehabilitation Centres and Multinational Corporations.
Nic's Books
Documenting My Journey
"No Limits"
“I came up with the idea of writing a book documenting my journey during my 12 month stay in hospital. I thought it would be a nice way of giving back to the many specialists, doctors, nurses, therapists and medical staff that looked after me during my recovery. “No Limits” is the end result.”
"In The Kitchen With KE & NE"
“In September 2021 I had to take time off work because I had another couple of falls and shattered my left collarbone. To keep myself occupied I decided to write my second book. This one is a cookbook full of recipes that my best mate Kai and I cooked together during our many Friday Night catch-ups. Writing this book was incredibly rewarding and I am sure that Kai will be very proud of it and looking down with a big smile on his face.”
Comments
“Nic’s attitude to his rehabilitation is exceptional; he never misses a session and never gives up. It has been a joy to watch his progress and to see him overcoming his physical challenges. Mentally, he is as sharp as a tack. He can’t talk very much and I believe this has sharpened up his other senses. Don’t take him on in a game of mind skills though, because odd’s are, you will probably walk away disappointed and shattered in defeat... and he loves it. What an inspiring young man, my mate Nic.”
“There has never been a dull moment working with Nic. Nic has managed to remain positive and maintain his sense of humour throughout his rehabilitation. He has worked extremely hard over the past couple of years and managed to do it with a smile. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him.”
