Continues to inspire

there’s no hidden agendas, it’s all sincere and genuine,” Verfurth said.

“It shows the character of him … that he hasn’t let (his injuries) affect him. It hasn’t changed him as a person.”

James Garvey, who coached South Barwon in the year of Casey’s injury, said his resilience and positivity through the challenges had been inspiring. “He’s always interested in what’s going on with everyone else and not so much himself. He’s always outward focused,” Garvey said.

In his playing days, Casey’s nickname was “Spirit” for his ability to motivate others. Now he’s bringing that same spirit to his life and recovery.

Casey is still hopeful medical intervention will one day restore movement in his arms and legs.

“At one point in time my situation may change, but that’s going to need some sort of medical intervention. It’s just a matter of when really,” he said.

He’s got his eye on a clinical trial of olfactory ensheathing cells, which, when implanted in adult rats with spinal damage, have successfully regenerated axons – the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses travel to other cells.

In the meantime, Casey will continue to ready his body for that day, buoyed by the support he receives from family, friends and the community.

“We’ve had ongoing support for five years, it’s been really positive for us. It’s something that we’ve really appreciated and needed,” he said.