Chris has used his art to raise money for the Rural Fire Brigade. Photo: Supplied.
Chris Campbell loved the ocean, but a trip to the beach in Batemans Bay in 1991 would change his life forever.
Chris spent his formative years in the rural town of Coolamon in NSW where his dad Greg was a butcher.
He had just finished his first year as an apprentice wood machinist and had been a Private in the Australian Reserves Infantry for 18 months where he received a medal for top marksmanship.
He looked forward to an active and creative life.
But as Chris ditched his towel and headed for the water, things were about to take a turn.
Diving headfirst into the surf, his life came crashing down. As the waves rolled over him, he lay face down, unable to move.
His mate saw it happen and immediately pulled him out and called the ambulance.
X-rays revealed that he had fractured his fifth and sixth vertebrae leaving him with quadriplegia.
He was only 19.
Chris endured seven months in hospital following his accident. Photo: Daily Telegraph.
Seven months of gruelling physiotherapy followed a spine fusion in Canberra.
In need of continuous care, Chris lived with his parents for two years before he was able to live independently with the help of a carer.
But life was tough and became very lonely.
“I didn’t see anyone from dusk until dawn after the carer left each day. There weren’t the mobile phones we have available now,” he says.
“I developed a stomach ulcer and it left me in a temporary state of being unable to see or speak for a while.
“I lived alone for 23 years and had personal carers come in three times a day. Most of the day it was just me and the beloved dogs.”
As the years passed and technology improved Chris found an outlet through his computer.
While he cannot use any of his fingers, Chris operates a special mouse and one arm to surf the web.
He keeps busy online with graphic and website design, emails and social media.
“I have my own website,” he says.
“Dead Dingo Designs is my business.”
Chris has created an online platform to showcase his art and writing. Photo: Chris Campbell.
Chris has also written children’s books and has recently published his autobiography.
The Mad Rants of a Discombobulated Cripple examines three emotional, revealing, happy and sad decades of his life as a person with quadriplegia.
“Using light given to me by my family and friends to illuminate the dark places I have found myself, I have opened the door to my mind to show people what drives a discombobulated cripple,” he explains in the blurb.
About 10 years ago Chris discovered painting with acrylics and has since created an extensive collection of artworks.
He has adapted to painting by having his hand strapped to a brush and surrounding sponge.
He recently delivered a painting requested by Wagga NRL legend Steve “Turvey” Mortimer who is suffering from dementia, and who was delighted to receive such a special memento of his football career.
Chris has learned to paint with a modified brush. Photo: Supplied.
Chris’ bedroom/workshop is filled with paint, brushes and cables.
“Even though I’m basically in bed I still work from 9 am into the evening,” he says.
He has held several exhibitions, donating money to the Rural Fire Brigade.
As well as raising money for charity, he is also in desperate need of a new set of wheels.
“I want to get a new wheelchair costing $50,000, which is designed to travel on sand so I can go back onto the beach after 31 years,” he explains.
“My current chair is seven years old and in need of repair.”
With the help of family and friends, Chris’ dream of a fundraising exhibition is coming to fruition through Vickie Burkinshaw of The Curious Rabbit (bookstore, cafe, art gallery and event space) in Wagga.
A three-day pop up display of his work will be held in August with both a live and silent auction.
Chris will showcase some of his work in Wagga in August. Photo: Supplied.
Despite the enduring challenges, Chris considers himself lucky.
“I am not like Christopher Reeve and dependent on oxygen,” he says.
“You don’t know what you have until you lose it.”
He also encourages the community to celebrate the breadth of achievement by people with disability beyond the Paralympics.
“Most people only look at the stories of wheelchair-bound sporting greats,” he says.
“It would be nice if they could recognise us others who go on and have a career as well but outside of sport.”
See more of Chris’ work on his website Dead Dingo Designs.
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