Getting back on his feet

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Proving so many doctors wrong, Jonathan Koenig has recovered against the odds after an accident left him unable to walk or speak.

When he was 11, Jonathan was hit by a car and thrown 20 metres in the air.

Doctors told his parents Robert and Cheryl that Jonathan would die and if he survived he would be a vegetable.

Cheryl's refusal to believe the worst began an epic journey and like a new baby, the family taught Jonathan to do everything again.

"We've reached a very happy place now and we feel that we're blessed and we're lucky," Cheryl said.

Melbourne physiotherapist Gavin Williams helped Jonathan achieve what many thought was impossible.

"There's no way in the world he'd be where he is now if it wasn't for the family support he has," he said.

Jonathan is still proving people wrong. Every time he drives he passes the place where he was hit by a car.

"A lot of people say that is very amazing but I mean I just like to get out there on the open roads," Jonathan said.

Now Cheryl has written the family's inspiring story. The title Paper Cranes comes from the hundreds of paper cranes Jonathan's class made for him at school to help him get well.

Surrounded by true believers, the Koenig's fund raising night for brain injury services raised $25,000.

Related information

Cheryl Koenig's book Paper Cranes - A mother's story of hope, courage and determination is published by Exisle Publishing Australia. (02) 4998 3327.

The Brain Injury Association of NSW can be contacted on (02) 9868 5261 or visit www.biansw.org.au.