Daniels fallen for life
DANIEL Hewitt has enjoyed his first surf since narrowly averting death after falling through a roof in Byron Bay's Industrial Estate on July 2, plummeting six metres onto concrete.
"Exhilarating! Like a new lease on life," is how Daniel described his return to the water.
In a beautiful twist of fate, the outcome of his near-fatal accident has not only been the steady healing of his extensive physical injuries, but also emotional healing for him and his loved ones.
For the spiritual 26-year-old, it is proof that everything in life happens for a reason.
The Byron man has no memory of the accident.
His family had to fill him in after he awoke from a two-week coma in Gold Coast Hospital with a fractured neck, skull, hip and wrists and a brain haemorrhage.
But as he was treated for his physical injuries, the trauma of the accident ended up drawing his family closer together.
His parents, who split up when he was seven, began talking again and a long-running dispute between his mother and grandmother was resolved.
His friends reported that his accident had taught them the fragility of life and they had set aside trivial matters to focus on loved ones.
But perhaps the most miraculous result is the accident appears to have cured Daniel of the nightmares which have haunted him since childhood. Now life is slowly returning to normal.
"I am very thankful for everyone who helped, supported, prayed for me during this drastic change in my life. I awoke from the coma feeling motivated to return to life and pass on the blessings and love that I have received."
