Woman to share tale of survival

A FORMER Toowoomba woman woke up one morning, not realising it would be the first day of the rest of her life.

Clare Sultmann, author of Standing On My Own Two Feet, will talk at the Concannon Oration about her journey from being jammed beneath a 10-tonne garbage truck fighting for her life to walking again on her own two feet.

The Concannon Oration is on this week at the University of Southern Queensland.

Mrs Sultmann will host a presentation to emphasise how important resilience and setting goals are in overcoming obstacles.

The story of Mrs Sultmann is one of strength, determination and adversity.

After a devastating blow, she demonstrates how her determination has her standing on her own two feet.

As a 23-year-old aspiring lawyer, Mrs Sultmann woke up one morning to start her normal daily routine and headed out to complete her 10km circuit run near her new home in Bondi, Sydney.

Crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing, she was struck down by a garbage truck, her legs trapped under the front wheel.

She was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, having suffered severe injuries.

Over the coming months she battled not only to stay alive but to save her legs and walk again on her own two feet.

Although the physical and mental obstacles she faced were overwhelming, her strength and determination was unwavering.

Undergoing 37 operations and rehabilitation, she is a true representation of resilience and literally a walking example of what overcoming obstacles and setting goals can achieve.

The Concannon Oration, hosted by the Residential Colleges and Concannon College Council, is open to USQ staff, students and the community.

Mrs Sultmann will talk at the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre at USQ Toowoomba today from 7pm to 9pm.