Hundreds of Millicent and district students were recently enthralled by an emotional address by motivational speaker Alex Noble.

Five years ago, he suffered life-changing injuries while training with the Under 17 New South Wales Rugby Sevens squad.

The 21-year-old has now written about his experience in the book ‘I Fight, You Fight’ and has travelled across Australia to give talks.

Nowadays confined to a wheelchair, the 250 Millicent High School and Kangaroo Inn Area School students listened intently as Alex spoke of his life before and after the accident.

He discussed gratitude, resilience and being in control of your thoughts and emotions.

After being in a coma for four days following the rugby mishap, his first words were to his brother Zac. “I fight, you fight.”

Being diagnosed a C4 quadriplegic meant Alex had no feeling or movement below his shoulders. He had two options, accept it and get on with living or fight. He chose to fight.

Alex had to relearn how to breath, eat and move. He accomplished this and so much more.

He went back to school and completed his Year 12 studies and is now at university studying 
Law.

His talk was held at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre and he was introduced by Dr Sarah McGrath, co-proprietor of the Millicent and Kingston veterinary clinics.

She coordinated his visit with the Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network and this group met his expenses.

Dr McGrath had addressed this group’s annual general meeting earlier this month.

“Thanks Alex Noble for helping this group of brilliant kids realise they can achieve great things if they are willing to try,” Dr McGrath said.

A Network spokesman said they try to bring a motivational speaker to Millicent each year.