Jarrod takes on the world with a scholarship

The SpineCare Foundation’s tertiary scholarship programs have assisted eleven students in 2024 who use a wheelchair for mobility to achieve their goals for higher education.

One of these recipients is Master of Finance student Jarrod, who is studying at the University of Illinois in the USA.

Setting goals for the future

Jarrod, 22, had his spinal cord injury in Year 11 of high school. He then embarked on a Bachelor of Commerce in 2020 at the University of Wollongong, graduating in 2023.

“I’m a wheelchair basketball player first and foremost, I have played from the moment I had my injury and it’s taken me all around Australia and even the world. Playing for the under 23 Australian team in Thailand in 2022, I met some American boys who pushed for me to make the move to college basketball.

He continued, “they are now my roommates as I’m now playing in my rookie year at Illinois. It’s been an extremely difficult year to say the least, but I’m achieving what I set out for myself all those years ago in that hospital bed.”

The life changing impact of financial support

“I have been absolutely blessed to receive support from the Gregory and Dolores Farrell Scholarship since the beginning of my university studies in Wollongong. This scholarship has assisted me in more ways than I can ever say, it has allowed me to complete my study without the constant financial pressure to be able to afford all I need, from the hundreds I’ve spent on textbooks and school supplies. And of course, the money that has literally gone to putting a roof over my head”, said Jarrod.

Jarrod continued, “it’s the time that I’ve had available to pursue my passions and also maintain my health that has been more meaningful than anything. I have achieved greatness in my studies due to this support and am now even taking on the biggest challenge of my life on the other side of the world because I was able to complete an undergraduate degree while pursuing wheelchair basketball, that both combined to give me this life changing opportunity. I would not have been here without the ongoing support of the Gregory and Dolores Farrell Scholarship”.

Building worldwide awareness through International Wheelchair Day

Held on 1 March every year, International Wheelchair Day was launched in 2008 to enable wheelchair users to celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives.

It also acknowledges the great work of the many millions of people who provide wheelchairs, support, and care for wheelchair users and who make the world a better and more accessible place for people with mobility issues.

Paying it forward

Jarrod said, “my long-term professional goal is to establish my own finance business that provides a social impact for the betterment of society. I’d like to help the future me’s, helping incredible young people with spinal cord injuries achieve more than they could ever have imagined.

“I’d also really like to keep playing basketball and what I would do next would be hitting the international stage and playing professionally in Europe.”

SpineCare Foundation scholarship support

Northcott and The SpineCare Foundation are proud to award scholarships to people with

disability who are enrolled in tertiary study. These scholarships are made possible through the financial support of several Trusts and Foundations, united by a common commitment to support people with disability to further their education.

Spinecare Foundation Individual Supports