A double amputee from Dubbo is taking a new path in life after achieving his dream of riding 500 kilometres.
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Jamie Manning’s inspirational story of how he came back from terrible injuries sustained in a car crash is one that’s attracted interest.
Last month the former rodeo star and horse breeder appeared on Channel Nine’s This Time Next Year, and inspired a nation as he persevered through pain to ride the 500 km.
Since then Jamie has been fielding phone calls from people wanting to secure him as a motivational speaker.
Last week he made a trip to Merriwa to speak to school groups during the day and adults at night for Rural Farm Safety Day.
Inquiries have come from Warwick in Queensland for him to speak at a week-long rodeo event, he told the Daily Liberal on Friday.
He’s also being lined up by a community group at Wee Jasper.
“It’s exciting, that’s the direction I’m heading in now, motivational speaking,” he said.
Jamie suffered horrific burns in a car crash in 2014, and due to resulting infections his leg and hand were amputated.
He spent almost seven weeks in a coma in a Sydney hospital.
His determined attitude came to the fore during his rehabilitation and he made it home months earlier than the doctors anticipated.
He hopes to inspire others to reach for their goals and look at the positives.
“It’s been good to wake people up to what they have, the little things,” he said.
“Too often people are too focused on their ultimate goal and they don’t see the little things are a stepping stone to the ultimate goal.”
The husband and dad of three is welcoming the speaking opportunities.
“I enjoy it, just to see people walk in a bit down and walk out with a big smile on their face,” Jamie said.
The 500-km ride was a fundraiser for Limbs4Life, a charity that provides support to amputees.
The effort raised $30,000.
“But also awareness - people who are amputees, especially in the back country, they don’t realise help is there,” Jamie said.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
