A Greek tourist told he may never walk again when he was seriously injured at a famous Australian beach is back on his feet and hopes his story can inspire others in a similar situation.
Ioannis Vidiniotis, 28, broke his collarbone and fractured his spine when he hit his head on a sandbank at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach on New Year’s Eve.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Greek tourist who broke neck at Aussie beach is back walking
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Doctors gave him a slim, five per cent chance of ever walking again.
But less than six months on and after intense rehabilitation, Vidiniotis is taking giant step forwards — able to walk with the help of a cane and even able to take care of himself.
“When the doctors come and tell you there’s a five per cent chance you’ll walk again, do you stop and try to think ‘is there hope for me now? Can I do anything about it?’ Luckily for me I never thought that way,” he said from Athens in a translated video shared by the Hellenic Community of WA (HCWA).
“Against all odds … I’m able to walk and am fighting to get back to the normal daily life I had before the accident.
“I hope this whole story serves as an inspiration for others who have found themselves in similar situations, giving them a little strength.”
Ioannis Vidiniotis was given a slim chance of ever walking again. Credit: Ioannis Vidiniotis Shortly after he was injured, the HCWA launched a GoFundMe to cover the costs of his care and specialist treatment.
The banker said he was especially thankful those who, “without even knowing me, were able to stand by us”.
“It’s really hard for me to put into words the gratitude I felt for all the people who embraced the journey I went through with my health,” he said.
Ioannis Vidiniotis broke his collarbone and neck at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach. Credit: 7NEWS The Greek tourist was told he may never walk again after the freak accident. Credit: 7NEWS Vidiniotis was just two days into his trip when the freak accident happened.
“Suddenly we saw him swimming a bit weirdly and (then) he stopped swimming, face down,” his cousin Aristea Kazantzidou told 7NEWS in January.
“My fiancé turned him on his side and we straight away pulled him out because he was unconscious.”
He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with no movement in his legs and unable to close his hands.
“The story of Ioannis touched many hearts both across Australia, Greece and beyond,” the HCWA said.