Local Body Boarding Paraplegic Speaks Out For Disability 

Narrabeen resident Riana Head-Toussaint was ten months old when she was involved in a car accident which resulted in her disability; paraplegia.

Today, as a 17 year old young woman currently completing year 12 at Killarney Heights High School, Riana has been appointed Northcott Disability Services 2010 Client Ambassador.

Riana was appointed the position on Monday, 1 February where she spoke alongside celebrity ambassadors of the organisation Mike Munro, Dr Cindy Pan and Paralympian Jayme Paris.

Riana will spend the year speaking out to break down the barriers of people living with a disability and help build a more inclusive society, as well as encourage the community to donate to the not-for-profit organisation that has supported her throughout her life.

“Northcott helped me to get a new wheelchair, which had to have a specially shaped back; they helped to acquire all my pressure care seat cushions and my mattress for my bed,” Riana said.

“They have liaised with my school, given me physiotherapy and counseling. Without their support, I do not think that I would have progressed at all from the dire situation I was in after my three operations.”

“Most recently, Northcott assisted my family and me in modifying our kitchen, which was a huge slog, taking three years to complete. Without their tireless perseverance I'm sure it would never have happened at all.”

Riana is a young go-getter who competes in local and women’s body boarding competitions and encourages people to look past the disability.

“I believe that you should never judge someone before you get to know them, because they might surprise you,” Riana said.

“Another line that I keep in mind is ‘life is brief and time is a thief; when you're undecided. And like a fistful of sand, it can slip right through your hands’ meaning basically get out there and have a go, because you can waste your life wondering what if.”