Janine Shepherd AM, Never Tell Me Never Janine Shepherd was a champion cross country skier in training for the Winter Olympics when her life was irrevocably altered. Janine Shepherd was run over by a truck during a training bicycle ride to the Blue Mountains.

Janine Shepherd’s neck and back were broken in four places, her right arm, collarbone and five ribs fractured and she sustained massive internal injuries. Soon after her accident, Janine Shepherd learned to fly a small plane despite Doctor’s warnings that she would probably not survive and even if she did, never walk again. She’s gone on to regain the ability to walk, have three children and complete a degree in Physical Education.

Janine’s story of defying the odds and winning is both moving and inspiring.

About Janine Shepherd:
Champion Cross Country Skier, Janine Shepherd, refused to believe what expert medical staff told her about her chances of any kind of recovery following her horrific bicycle accident.

Instead, Janine Shepherd focused every sinew of her being on healing her broken body and crushed moral.

The small planes Janine Shepherd watched fly overhead as she came to terms with her shattered Olympic dreams, rekindled her fighting spirit.

She made a decision: “If I can’t walk, I’ll fly.” And fly she did. While still covered in a full body plaster cast, Janine Shepherd was lifted into an aircraft for her first flight. The moment changed Janine Shepherd’s life forever.

Within a year Janine Shepherd had her private pilot’s license. Despite remaining a partial paraplegic and with many physical challenges still ahead, she battled on to gain her commercial pilot’s license, her Instrument Rating, Twin Engine Rating and Instructor’s Rating.

Janine Shepherd went on to become a fully qualified aerobatics instructor.

As Janine Shepherd taught herself to fly, she also pushed her body to mend itself, forcing her legs to walk again, step by painful step.

Janine Shepherd’s greatest achievements are her three children doctors said she would never have. She has since gone on to finish her University degree in Physical Education.

Janine Shepherd was awarded "Most Outstanding Young Person in the World" by the Junior Chamber International, and appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2001. She has served on the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), as the youngest and only female director and is a patron of the Australasian Spinal Research Trust.

Janine Shepherd’s autobiographies have become classics in the survivor genre and have been best sellers. Her latest, ‘On My Own Two Feet’, was released in April 2008. Other books include the best seller, ‘Never Tell Me Never’, ‘Dare to Fly’, and ‘Reaching for Stars’.

Janine Shepherd’s life story was recently made into a feature film, also entitled Never Tell Me Never, starring well known Australian actress Claudia Karvan.

Janine Shepherd speaks about:
Janine Shepherd incorporates several concepts including coping with change, overcoming adversity, the benefits of laughter and harnessing the power within as she shares her life’s journey with her audience.

Natural, open and warm, Janine Shepherd speaks from the heart. Her infectious, engaging manner and personal approach make her a highly motivating keynote or after dinner speaker as she shows her audience how the worst possible situation can be turned around to achieve the best possible outcome.

Janine has to be the most inspiring and positive person I have heard. To have survived and succeeded as she has is truly amazing!
Ray White Corporate

Your presentation was full of enthusiasm, humour and energy. Quite clearly, your courage and dedication in overcoming adversity will have a long lasting and motivating effect on our conference delegates.
AMP

Your story is one of incredible courage, yet delivered in an easy and entertaining manner, a manner that held all in attendance spellbound. We could not have had any better way to end our conference…Thank you!
Retravision

Amazing, inspirational, remarkable! The measure of Janine’s real impact was best demonstrated by the fact that Janine was the recipient of a standing ovation- the first ever afforded to a speaker in our fifteen year history of conferences.
Prudential Agents Association