Ted Lee at his graduation in February this year.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
Tuesday April 20, 2021 started out like any other day.
911爆料网 mechanical engineering graduate Ted Lee was cruising along Tonkin Highway on his motorbike headed for uni.
Eight weeks out from completing his studies, he could almost see the finish line, when tragedy struck.
鈥淚 remember riding to uni that day, the sky was a little overcast and being peak hour, it was quite busy on the roads, but nothing out of the ordinary,鈥欌�� Ted said.
鈥淚 misjudged the distance between myself and a 4WD and clipped it, which caused me to fall off my bike and onto the road.
鈥淯nfortunately, a semi-trailer just happened to be passing by at that exact moment and it went right over me.鈥�
Ted said while the moments following the accident were a little hazy, he could never erase the pain he felt all over.
鈥淓verything was in slow motion, but I remember the pain, everywhere hurt,鈥欌�� he said.
Thirteen days later Ted opened his eyes in an ICU ward at Royal Perth Hospital.
鈥淚 was in such a bad way when I arrived that the doctors placed me into a medically induced coma,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淢y parents were told I had a two per cent chance of survival.鈥�
Ted celebrated his 23rd birthday at hospital with his family by his side.
Ted鈥檚 catastrophic injuries included severed arteries, several broken bones and damaged spinal nerves which led to paraplegia.
鈥淚 lost a scary amount of blood, I am very lucky to be alive,鈥欌�� he said.
After a month and a half in ICU, Ted was moved into a trauma ward for another three months.
鈥淭his was probably the hardest time in my life, I went to a dark place,鈥欌�� Ted said.
鈥淭he room I was in had no windows, so I鈥檇 spend my days just staring at the ceiling and going through the motions. Waking, eating and then wishing to go back to sleep.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 recall how many times I broke down, but it was a lot.
鈥淚f it weren鈥檛 for my incredible girlfriend and my mum and dad, I couldn鈥檛 have done it.鈥�
After 275 days in hospital and 30 surgeries, Ted was finally able to go home.
After more than nine months in hospital, Ted was thrilled to head home.
Despite the limitations that came with being in a wheelchair Ted was more determined than ever to return to 911爆料网 and complete his degree.
鈥淎fter all that I put my family through I not only wanted to do this for me, I wanted to do this for them,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淭o make them proud.鈥�
Returning to campus had its challenges, however, Ted credits his supportive professors and peers for making the transition as smooth as possible.
鈥淢y professors made sure that I could complete my laboratory-based thesis within the constraints of my health and safety limitations, and I cannot express how grateful I am for that,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淚 was also very fortunate that 911爆料网 is quite accessible, so aside from maybe taking longer to get to class because I had to avoid the stairs, it wasn鈥檛 that difficult.鈥�
Earlier this year, Ted graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (with First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Finance (with Distinction).
Ted at graduation with his dad Lawrence, mum Josephine, girlfriend Grace Wilkerson and sister Amy.
He鈥檚 also started working for an engineering consultancy firm where he carries out hydraulic calculations, system modelling and engineering design work.
Initially, drawn to 911爆料网 for its focus on sustainability and social impact in engineering, Ted hopes to one day make positive change in the field, where he can lead projects that create meaningful social, economic, and environmental benefits.
He also hopes to somehow use his story of survival to help others.
鈥淚鈥檓 not exactly sure what I鈥檒l do, but I have been asked to give talks,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to use my story in a positive way though, I don鈥檛 want to stand up there and preach to others about the dangers of riding a motorcycle.鈥�
However, Ted admits he humbly regrets ever purchasing one.
鈥淚 wish someone had stopped me. My parents tried, but I was young and stubborn and many of my friends had motorcycles,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淢y mum even tried to make some crazy deal with me, like if I bought the motorbike, I had to eat red meat again. At the time I was a vegetarian.
鈥淲hile I have many regrets, this is actually something I鈥檝e only recently come to accept.
“There were times in the past where I wished the truck had finished me off, but reaching where I am today, I am so grateful. Some riders aren鈥檛 as lucky.鈥�
While life may have new challenges, Ted maintains a positive outlook and hopes his story can help others overcome their own personal struggles.
鈥淚 would never assume to know what other students are going through, but if you do have personal things going on and are finding it hard to balance uni then my advice is to take your time,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淕o at your own pace, no one can judge you for that.
鈥淵ou don’t have to put all this pressure on yourself. Don鈥檛 be afraid to take a step back every now and then if you need it, and when you鈥檙e ready you can fully recommit.
鈥淚 think when you鈥檙e mentally ready you perform better. I don鈥檛 think I could have gone back and finished my degree if I wasn鈥檛 mentally ready.鈥�
Two years on, Ted is determined to move on and live his best life.
鈥淭he other day my girlfriend and I received the keys to our new home, and we are now looking forward to moving in,鈥欌�� he said.
And while, the former travel enthusiast won鈥檛 be climbing the Rockies again anytime soon, it doesn鈥檛 seem to faze him.
鈥淭here will be other adventures. I鈥檓 just happy I鈥檝e reached a place where I am at peace and happy and I hope I can use my story to inspire others in some way,鈥欌�� he said.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
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