A life changed in an instant

PICTURED: Former president of the Rotary Club of Berri, SA, Michael Cook, with some of the Berri Bike Boys.

After a cycling accident left beloved Riverland volunteer Michael Cook a quadriplegic, his community is rallying to raise funds for a wheelchair-accessible van – restoring the independence and connection he has given others for decades.

On the morning of Saturday 29 April 2023, long-time Riverland resident and community volunteer Michael Cook set off on a bike ride with the Berri Bike Boys – just as he had done so many times before. But in a split second, his life changed forever. A wheel caught. A fall. A devastating spinal injury. And just like that, Michael became a quadriplegic at age 69.

Michael suffered catastrophic damage to his C4 vertebrae, leaving him paralysed from the neck down. Despite the odds, he has shown incredible courage and determination throughout his ongoing rehabilitation. But as someone aged over 65 at the time of his accident, Michael is ineligible for NDIS support, meaning he has had to shoulder the financial burden of his new reality without the government assistance others might receive.

This is a man who has shown up for his community time and time again. Now, it’s our turn to show up for him.

Now, the Rotary Club of Berri, SA, together with the Berri Bike Boys and the broader community, is launching a fundraising campaign to give something back to a man who has spent his life giving to others.

Why Michael needs help

Michael currently resides at Calvary St Catherine’s Nursing Home in Berri, cared for by staff and his wife, Vesna. He has made inspiring progress in his recovery – regaining limited movement in his arms and feet and using a specially adapted powered wheelchair to get around. But without access to an appropriate vehicle, Michael’s ability to travel is severely restricted.

Public and private transport options are scarce and often cost-prohibitive – a return taxi trip to Adelaide for a specialist appointment can cost more than $1,500. As a result, Michael has missed out on vital medical appointments, funerals of loved ones, and the social connection that once defined his life.

A wheelchair-accessible van would be truly life-changing. It would allow Michael to attend:

• Specialist and medical appointments (locally and in Adelaide)
• Disability support group meetings across the Riverland
• SA Ambulance Retired Officers gatherings
• Social outings with Vesna and friends
• Funerals and other key life events

This isn’t just about mobility – it’s about restoring independence, dignity and connection.

A lifetime of service

Michael is no stranger to helping others. His legacy of service spans more than five decades. He served for 24 years as a paramedic with SA Ambulance in Berri. He volunteered with St John Ambulance, the Country Fire Service and helped establish the Loxton SES unit.

He is a Paul Harris Fellow and former president of the Rotary Club of Berri, having served in multiple leadership roles.

He has also volunteered with Operation Flinders for 30 years, helping transform the lives of at-risk youth through wilderness adventure programs.

Beyond emergency services, Michael has given his time to disability support, local sport, youth development and health services. He’s a Life Member of the Loxton Hockey Club and, even after retirement, spent eight years volunteering in the Emergency Department at the Berri Regional Hospital.

This is a man who has shown up for his community time and time again. Now, it’s our turn to show up for him.

A vehicle for Michael

The Rotary Club of Berri is seeking to raise $102,276 to purchase and modify a new Toyota HiAce bus, which will be fitted with wheelchair access. The vehicle will be driven by Vesna and other trusted companions, giving Michael the freedom to re-engage with the world beyond the nursing home.

Fundraising is being facilitated directly by the Rotary Club of Berri.

Donations can be mad via www.rotaryberri.org.au

All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Whether you can give $10 or $1,000, every dollar brings is one dollar closer to giving Michael the independence he deserves.

For further information, contact Bruce Richardson from the Rotary Club of Berri via 0418 839 082 or bruce-richardson@bigpond.com or Jim Rosenthal from the Berri Bike Boys Cycling group via 0418 839 381.