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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Amy Martin

Canberra's inspirational Elijah and his road to recovery

In 2015 The Canberra Times described a then 13-year-old Elijah Arranz as determined, dedicated and driven as he headed into that year's fun run with a 426-day running streak.

Elijah Arranz, 18, with mum Robin outside of their Flynn home, which is being remodeled with NDIS funding. Picture: Karleen Minney

Four years on and he's still proving just how true that is.

In November 2015, just a few months after he chatted with The Canberra Times, Elijah was in a tandem skydiving accident.

It left him with a traumatic brain injury and fractures at the base of his skull and one of his shoulder blades. He had internal damage to his organs, nine broken ribs, and multiple breaks to his pelvis and his jaw.

The only thing which saved him was instructor and former serviceman Tony Rokov who twisted his body underneath Elijah, to take the brunt of the sudden fall when their parachute collapsed. He died in the process and was posthumously honoured with one of Australia's highest awards for bravery, the Star of Courage.

Elijah Arranz, 18. Picture: Karleen Minney

Elijah spent seven weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital and a further 10 months undergoing rehabilitation at the hospital.

"When we were in the hospital, Elijah did therapy - he did about three or four sessions every single day," Ms Arranz says.

"There was speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy. Now he does physio once a week but he has exercises that he does three or four times every day."

Earlier this month, Elijah, now 18, graduated year 12 from St Francis Xavier College - a cause for extra jubilation as it marked a miraculous comeback from a near-death experience. His graduation also saw him awarded the school's Inspiration Award as well.

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Next year will see him head to Canberra Institute of Technology to study business and accounting part-time, while he continues his rehab.

It will also see him once again build up a sporting streak, this time in rowing.

A week after Elijah's accident his dad, Jose started running every day, just like his son once did.

"He thought he would be doing it for 100 days," Elijah says.

Four years later and his dad is still running a minimum of two kilometres every day.

"So Elijah decided he would do a rowing streak, and he's rowed every day for over two years," Ms Arranz says.

"These crazy boys in my life are incredibly motivated and awesome."

Elijah Arranz, 18. Picture: Karleen Minney

At the moment, Elijah's physio is really focusing on his posture - which is aided by strength gained by his rowing - as well as targeting independent muscle groups in order to regain the teenager's balance.

"Elijah really wants to get back on his feet, and the reason why he's in the wheelchair is because of the brain injury - it's affected his balance," Ms Arranz says.

It's all in the aim of not only running again but also to compete in the long-distance running events at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

Next year will also see the teen learn to swim again, as well as take on other household jobs.

"Elijah still has occupational therapy. That's really going to ramp up when the kitchen is done because Elijah doesn't know how to cook or anything like that. So he's going to learn and he's going to cook us all dinners," Ms Arranz says.

"Quesadillas," Elijah says.

The family's home is being remodelled with funds from the National Disability Insurance Agency, making the kitchen fully compatible with Elijah's needs so he can wheel himself under the sink, bench and stove.

The flooring has also been replaced with a low-slip surface, modifications have been made to the bathroom and ramps have been installed in the front year.

"NDIS is really about making Elijah more independent and they've been very good," Ms Arranz says.

"Because Elijah's accident happened when he was 14, he has grown a lot since then as well, so different wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches."

His NDIS plan has also funded a range of physical and speech therapy, as well as one-on-one care, transport funding and a range of equipment including a power assist wheelchair and walking frame.

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