Quadriplegic Ben Harper on life in a wheelchair and raising five kids

"I was relieved in a way because I was working two jobs and was an assistant coach at Turvey Park and so I had a lot going on and was really working hard, as you do when you're young, you work as hard as you can," he explained.

"I just accepted it, I'd put myself under a lot of pressure."

In most people's eyes, the 40-year-old's story is a tragic one.

Harper remembers driving to Melbourne for his buck's night. Six days later he wakes up and is told the devastating news.

"They explained to me that I had a big accident and I wouldn't be walking again," he said after diving into the water at St Kilda pier and breaking his neck.

"But I couldn't comprehend it properly, so I was saying to them (doctors), 'OK, so how many games do you think I'll miss? Do you reckon I'll be right for the first round'?

They're going, 'no, mate, there's going to be no more football'. I didn't even think that footy would be finished. How long does a broken neck take to heal? How long does a hamstring take to heal? That's what I was thinking."

This isn't how life was supposed to turn out. Harper was 25, was about to get married, he was making a mark in his career as a jeweller and he still had so much to do and see.

"Occasionally I would be really upset, but there wasn't really much time for feeling sorry for myself and we didn't anyway," he said.

"What we had to do straight away was work on my rehabilitation.

"Jo (Ivone, his fiancee) was a great support, her and her family, they were wonderful to me.

"My family was great, I had a lot of support around me and were all trying to be positive.

"I think we were pleased that I made it through, the doctors always give you the worst-case scenario, they didn't expect me to make it through the night.

"My mates were down there and they were beside themselves. We had lost a few friends along the way and I just thought, 'I'm glad that I didn't pass away on them'.

"We miss them, we still always think about them. We (the Harper family) lost a sister (Simone) as well, I was happy with myself for not adding to the grief (of losing a loved one).

"My mum (Pam) took it pretty hard, there were a few waterworks for sure, mainly from mum."

Ben and Jo went ahead with the marriage in October, 2006, and mum - and no doubt a few more - cried more tears.

But the pair later separated as the unbelievable strain of life in a wheelchair took its toll.

Although he certainly doesn't harp on it, Harper had some tough times.

It was a world away from the 20-year-old who shot to national prominence when he caught Maurice Green's shoe in the crowd after the American won the 100m at the Sydney Olympics.

"I went up there for three days, but I wound up staying for 13, there were a lot of media commitments that held me there, I had a wow of a time," he said.

"It did wear me down (though). You get your five seconds of fame, so to speak. I don't know why anyone would want to be famous to be honest, but I had so much fun with it."

Harper was asked for the most memorable moment of the Olympics and he took some time to answer.

"Are you trying to think your way through it so it doesn't come across as too loose?," I asked.

"Exactly, that's exactly what I'm thinking (laughs), I don't want to blurt something out and sound like a fool, we just rode the rollercoaster on that one," he said, adding though that being in the crowd for Cathy Freeman's unforgettable 400m run was "the loudest noise I've ever heard'.

Eighteen months later, the raw-boned Harper was starting a new life at Wodonga Raiders Football Club.

"It was much more professional and there was a lot more training," he said after three senior years at Turvey Park.

"Each Ovens and Murray game was like an RFL (Riverina Football League) final."

Harper spent three years at Raiders from 2002 and he also represented the O and M.

When asked for his favourite moment in the league, Harper admits the accident has affected his memory.

"It makes it difficult to remember specifics a lot of the time," he said candidly.

Another 18 months after making an impact at Raiders, Harper's life would change forever.

He would also meet Sheena in 2009, who, likewise, would change his world.

"Sheena has been a wonderful support for me," he offered.

"I sometimes dwell on what I'd like to have (not a life confined to a wheelchair), but mostly I'm grateful for what I have.

"Sheena's just a wonderful wife and you look at your kids and you think, 'they're great'."

The couple has five children, including - can you believe it - two sets of twins.

Tyler and Logan are 12, Samson eight and Harry and Addison are three.

"The eldest twins are going into high school next year, so they're the king of (primary) school, but they'll start at the bottom next year," he said.

"Samson sometimes tells me how I should be parenting, we both say to the eldest three, 'don't be a parent in the household'. Samson's a real character, he's a good-natured kid.

"Harry's going to be a monster, he'll have a good physique for football. And Addison is the boss of everyone, she tells everyone what to do."

Harper bursts with pride when he speaks about his children.

"Yeah, that's what it's all about, as soon as you have kids, you realise that's the only thing that matters," he said proudly.

'When I'm having a hard time, I'm always picked up by the kids."

And just like he did with footy and career, Harper always want to improve, wants to be the best husband and dad he can.

"I feel like I could do better to be honest, parenting wears you down more than any of the other stuff," he admitted.

It's hard work, but you've just got to keep on trying."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Sheena reckons he's selling himself short.

"He's a wonderful husband and a wonderful father, we're all very lucky to have him," she offered.

His hands won't allow him to work in the jewellery industry, but he's about to start life as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation worker at Riverina Recovery House in Wagga.

He had volunteered at a number of places, including a school for disadvantaged children.

"You could go into your shell and not explore other things in life, but Ben has overcome those adversities to better himself, for himself and his family," Sheena said.

"Ben goes to Sargood (a Sydney resort for spinal cord injuries) by himself and also catches up with mates in Melbourne. He went to see (American rock band) Tool, I hate them (laughs)."

After the accident, the Wagga and Border communities rallied around Harper, raising enough funds to build a specially-designed house in Wagga.

"If I can mate, I'd like to thank Sheena, the kids and my family (mum, dad Bob, brother Grant and sister Leesa)," he said.

"I'd also like to thank the football community and communities in general in Wagga, Albury and Wodonga."

When I mentioned many will be keen to hear how's he going, the cheeky Harper couldn't help himself.

"I'll sell a few subscriptions and then we'll work on the commission," he laughed.

Is he proud of himself?

"I'm more pleased that proud," Harper offered.

"New things came out of the accident, like meeting Sheena and having my kids.

"No, I wouldn't change it."