David Rolfe has travelled the world to swim competitively, represented Australia at the Paralympic Games and taken home a bronze medal, but heChr(39)d give it all up to have his right leg back.
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Seven years ago after falling asleep at the wheel and colliding head on with a semi-trailer David became an above-the-knee amputee.
After being cut from the vehicle he was airlifted to hospital where his leg was amputated before he underwent several more operations to remove glass from his eye.
While recovering in hospital, David heard a newsChr(39) bulletin announcing Sydney was to host the 2000 Paralympic Games and he immediately resolved to be part of the Games.
"From day one I was always trying for the Games, and after seven yearsChr(39) hard work, I made it," he said.
But the Games are not his only passion.
As part of the Tablelands Road Safety Program, David was in Bathurst yesterday talking to Bathurst and Kelso high school students about the consequences of driver fatigue and their responsibilities on the road.
"After finishing work on August 5, I declined an offer to stay at a friendChr(39)s house, instead opting for the half-hour drive home.
"I just wanted to get home and pick the kids up from the baby sitter. I thought IChr(39)d be home within half an hour," he explained.
In fact it was more than 10 weeks before David was back in his own house, and his life had changed forever.
"As much as what IChr(39)ve achieved as a Paralympian means to me, if I could IChr(39)d give it all up to go back to that night (August 5) and make the right decision not to drive.
"IChr(39)d give everything up in an instant if I could have my old life back," he said.
