In January Ash Treseder made the fateful decision to dive off a pier – one he’d executed perfect dives off many times before – that would ultimately end in him suffering a near fatal spinal injury.
Left wheelchair bound, the 30-year-old from New South Wales missed his own engagement party with fiancée Maddi Magennis at the time – who were both more preoccupied with helping him gain movement back.
Two months on, Maddi, 23, surprised her husband-to-be with a belated celebration, releasing footage online of the moment her brave partner was brought to tears.
Now wheelchair bound, 30-year-old Ash from New South Wales missed his own engagement party with fiancée Maddi Magennis (both pictured)
‘Last Saturday night my gorgeous fiancée and family gave me the best surprise I could have ever have asked for and threw a surprise engagement party with the people that mean the most to me in this world,’ Ash wrote on Instagram.
‘Maddi and I were meant to have celebrated this a week after my accident so to finally celebrate the love that Maddi and I share together meant more to me than anything.’
Maddi added in a separate post: ‘I cannot wait to marry this incredible man. It was always you’.
The event took place at Hunters Hill Club and included a decadent photo wall with the words ‘It was always you’ emblazoned on it.
The event took place at Hunters Hill Club and included a decadent photo wall with the words ‘It was always you’ emblazoned on it
Two months on to the day and Maddi, 23, surprised her husband-to-be with a belated celebration
Previously, Ash and Maddi spoke about the day that changed their lives on Australia’s east coast.
The summer heat had settled in on January 3, 2019, when the newly-engaged couple decided to soak up some sunshine in Shoal Bay.
With Maddi relaxing on the sand, Ash decided to swim out to the pier he had jumped off at least 20 times prior without incident.
This day would be different, and with the tide lower than he’d thought, he hit the sea floor and broke his neck on impact.
Ash Treseder chose the hashtag ‘happiness’ to describe his perfectly executed dive off a beachside pier in April 2018, uploading the footage to Instagram (pictured)
Maddi added in a separate post: ‘I cannot wait to marry this incredible man. It was always you’
‘I could hear all the kids, people swimming and laughing, and everyone on the pier,’ he told The Herald.
‘And all I could think was, “S***, I can’t move. I can’t swim. I am going to drown.”‘
Some kind beachgoers helped Ash to the shore and rang emergency services.
Maddi thought her husband-to-be might be concussed but soon learned he was paralysed.
‘Everyday I count my lucky stars’ the 30-year-old then captioned a photo of himself and fiancée Maddi Magennis standing atop Tomaree Mountain – the same area on the NSW north coast the pier can be found (pictured)
‘Ash was airlifted to Sydney’s Royal North Shore hospital, where he received emergency surgery with the aim to realign his spine,’ she wrote on his Gofundme page.
‘Although the surgery went well, this experience has left Ash without feeling or movement below his chest.
‘Only four days since the accident Ash is breathing on his own and has gained sensation and some movement in his arms.
With Maddi, 23, (pictured) relaxing on the sand, Ash made the fateful decision to swim out to a pier he had jumped off at least 20 times prior, with no incident (pictured in New Caledonia)
‘The doctors have expressed their concerns that these injuries may be permanent but with Ash’s determination and his family’s love we are very hopeful.’
Ash, who is a disability support worker, is determined to stand at his wedding in the Hunter Valley on November 16.
Despite his grim prognosis, the charismatic Newcastle man has already regained some movement in his hands, wrists and upper arms.
Despite his grim prognosis, the charismatic Newcastle man has already regained some movement in his hands, wrists and upper arms
Ash is optimistic about the remainder of the year and Maddi isn’t going anywhere
His spine still needs another 12 weeks to settle from the shock of the accident before doctors will know what further care Ash will require – but for now the pair are preparing for a lengthy hospital stint.
Ash is optimistic about the remainder of the year and Maddi isn’t going anywhere.
‘He is one of the most kind, generous young men in this world. The love of my life,’ she told the publication.
‘This accident, with all of its incredible deep heartache, has given us a second chance to look at life and really truly LIVE it,’ she also wrote in an Instagram caption.
‘I always thought I’d feel immense pride at some stage in my life. I thought it may have been when I got my first professional contract, or actually graduating the HSC. But I never really did, until now.
Ash is currently working on gaining muscle movement back day-by-day (pictured at the rehab clinic)
His spine still needs another 12 weeks to settle before doctors will know what further care Ash will require – but for now the pair are settling into a lengthy hospital stint
‘Watching us fight the roller coaster life has thrown us on makes me indescribably proud. Keep fighting. Keep hashtagging “quadriwhat”. Keep loving, and being kind.
‘I am so incredibly proud of you, how far we have come and how far we will go. I love you darling. Your strength is mine. This is only the beginning.’
They are sharing their story on Gofundme as a way of raising much-needed funds for Ash’s care, and later, rehab and physio.
So far, $83,000 has been collected, with $200,000 set as the goal.
They are sharing their story on Gofundme as a way of raising much-needed funds for Ash’s care, and later, rehab and physio
‘It is now a painstaking waiting game to see how he fares over the coming weeks and months as he recovers from this traumatic incident,’ the page reads.
‘Ash may never walk again, but not even this has managed to dampen his spirits. There are still many unknowns about Ash’s road ahead.
‘The average first year expense for a spinal cord injury is estimated to be $500,000 and upwards of $2 million across a lifetime.
‘Funds raised will be directly used for Ash’s ongoing medical expenses, necessary equipment (i.e. wheelchair, electric beds, other in-home aids), home and vehicle modifications.’
To support his recovery, visit Move Mountains for Ash.