Remembering a Mentor

January 24th is the day that marks seven years since my best friend passed away. I first met Daniel Kojta back in the early '90s. We went rock climbing together in the Blue Mountains. I was still in high school, and he was in the army.

The next time I ran into Daniel was four years later, and he was in a wheelchair because of a construction site accident. He passed away at 47 years old due to complications from that injury.

Daniel Koijta, disabled but not unable: abseiling the Dogface landslide, cycling the Strzelecki desert, alone on Lake Eyre, Climbing a rock face and filming in the Tanami Desert.

Years later, I also sustained a spinal injury that significantly altered my lifestyle, work, and recreational activities. Daniel became both my confidant and recovery mentor. Our friendship was mutually beneficial; Daniel inspired me to explore the science and psychology of workplace safety to understand my own experience and to assist others and organizations in comprehending safety. He motivated me to establish the initial version of Safety Achievements.

I used my expedition experience to inspire Daniel to (safely) achieve wilderness experiences that most able-bodied people would not think possible for a wheelchair bound person. We shared some of the most amazing wilderness adventures by planning and adapting to our unique abilities, strengths and limitations.

"Your disability, is your inability to see my ability" Daniel Kojta

When I'm faced with challenges in my safety career, or the onset of organisational apathy, disinterest or conflicting priorities. I think about Daniel. I owe it to him to keep being creative fueling the narrative with enthusiasm.