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CELEBRATING ONE YEAR
From the waves to the stars
Exactly one year ago, my world shifted in unexpected ways. It altered how I see the precious
nature of time—cherishing each second, each moment, each opportunity to find purpose. T o
truly understand how it happened, we need to go back to where it all began.
I remember the salty breeze wooshing through my hair in the early morning air as I stood on
the sands of Manly Beach. Surfing was my sanctuary, my joy, and my freedom. Little did I
know that day would rewrite my life.
As I’ve grown up - I’ve been privileged to be a boy who had it all: a loving family, loyal
friends, and a community that supported me every step. I thrived in life, I had a good laugh
with my friends and cherished the lessons I was taught. I felt as if the world was open with
infinite possibilities. This all changed on that very day. At St Ignatius College, the Year 9
Challenge is provided to teach important life skills and to treat all those around you with the
respect that they deserve. On Sports Day I chose surfing to connect with friends and have
the adrenaline of riding the waves running through my veins. After seeing the sun’s rays
glimmer off the waves, I shared lunch with my friends in a nearby area to then went back out
into the ocean. The relentless waves wore me down, and I found myself back with friends -
having fun as we always did. We decided to go rock climbing to the next beach up north.
Because of my competitive nature, I wanted to prove that I was not scared of anything.
As rain clouds grew closer, I climbed higher trying to reach the top of the alluring cliff. But
sandstone doesn’t forgive arrogance. Before I knew what was happening, the rock fell
beneath me resulting in me also falling 15 metres. My life rushed before my eyes. In this
moment I remember thinking “This was the end of my relationships with my friends, family
and mentors”
. For the next five weeks, I was in a coma in the Randwick ICU (intensive care
unit). Imagine this time for my family, all expecting presents under the tree and joyous laughs
between one another.
On Christmas Eve, my family’s prayers were answered with the best gift they have ever
received. My body felt unfamiliar: fragile, shattered, needing treatment, yet alive. The thrive
and fight to survive had only just begun.
At this time I felt as if the stars had aligned perfectly to help me survive. Each star
represented the lifeguards, paramedics, doctors, nurses and friends. Each of these people
played a key role in keeping me alive. I remember each day at the hospital perfectly, every
day was a battle within itself; but as a French general Charles de Gaulle once said “We have
lost a battle but we have not lost a war”
, this meant I had to keep fighting no matter what.
The simplest victories became astounding. My first word, my first step, my first sip of water,
and my first swallow of food were all parts of my wonderful success. The nurses and
everyone around me became my extended family supporting and cheering me on every step
of the way; never letting me lose hope. I’ll never forget the moment I left the hospital. After
80 days and constant fighting, I was finally going home. The applause from the staff brought
tears to both my eyes and my parent's eyes. We felt an overwhelming gratitude for the
people who had helped me. Especially those who nurtured me by visiting me or just having a
nice little chat. It was both a farewell and a beginning at the same time and place.
They had granted me the gift of a second life.
••••
Recovery is a journey without a clear destination. My body is not the same as before. Surfing
is harder now; my take-offs feel clumsy and my legs aren’t as strong as they used to be. Yet
every challenge I face reminds me of the strength I have gained from the journey in both
physical and emotional senses. I’ve learned to keep fighting and value the small
accomplishments made along the way. Life feels more precious now, I no longer take what I
have for granted including my family and friends plus my siblings who are now my greatest
allies. My friends have acted as anchors for me along the way through their support. My dog
showered me with unconditional love when I finally came home reminding me to cherish the
present.
The accident reshaped my future endeavours, I wanted to be a surgeon because it felt
noble. Now, I feel a deeper purpose: to give back the care and the second chance that was
given to me. Every day, I work toward that goal, driven by the stars who lit my path during
my darkest hours. When I feel frustrated I remember the faces of those who fought for me,
the lifeguards who carried me carefully, the paramedics who raced me through the storm,
the surgeons who worked tirelessly to heal me, the nurses who celebrated my smallest
victories and the support shown by those around me.
I’m the boy who once climbed too high, the boy who rises again and again no matter what
happens to me. This is my story, my second life and I’m living it with hope and gratitude for
those who helped me. Learn from the past, prepare for the future and live the present.
About Artaban
My story
My name is Artaban. I’m a French-Australian 14-year-old boy. I moved to Australia when I was 4 years old.
I’m a typical Aussie boy. I hate wearing shoes, I play rugby at recess and handball as much as I can. I love the outdoors, the beach, finding crabs in the rock pools, and climbing trees. I love sports. I surf every weekend with my family in Manly. I ski in Australia and in my birth country at Meribel. Sometimes, my parents think I’m taking too much risk but I’m just a normal 14-year-old boy who loves doing stuff.
I go to school at Saint Ignatius College Riverview and my mates are the best. Hanging with them at school or just for a surf is what I prefer.
I was looking forward to that day by going with your all best mates doing what you prefer, surfing and hanging at the beach. I kept on saying to my Mum how much I was pumped for that day celebrating the end of the term . I had a good academic year. I was expecting maybe I would get awards. Maybe in French, engineering, science or drama. I worked hard and my average was 89,4 % I wanted to reach 90%. Bummer. Not that far. I’ll do even better next year. But for the moment, I was just enjoying my great life, celebrating with my mates the end of a good year.
My accident
That day the surf was pretty average. My Mum wanted to have lunch with my sister to prepare her year 6 graduation. I prefered to stay with my mates and hanged out at the beach. After a good burger , we decided to go back to the surf. It was too bad to stay in the water, so we went for a walk from Manly to Freshwater. It’s a bit of climbing but everyone does it. We went to check the surf in Freshie. But then I don’t remember. Nothing. Total black out.
My mates told me the rock fell under me. And I fell with it. 15 meters down. In a crevasse. My mates Finn and Lachie saw me fall. They tried to go as fast as they could to reach me. They thought I was dead. They were screaming at me. Even bad words , Finn told me. When they arrived, they were 2 Dutch tourists who told them I was breathing. But they didn’t know what to do. At all. Finn realised he was the most responsible one there so he had to step up. With Lachie , he put my tongue on a side and scooped with my hand what was in my mouth to allow me to breathe. Meanwhile, someone saw me falling like a puppet. They luckily were at the lifeguard house. The lifeguards ran to me and called the emergency. While the hospital sent a helicopter with emergency doctors and ambulances , the lifeguards ran to me so fast to prevent me from drowning in my crevasse. Lucky me again, it was low tide. They carried me very carefully. That saved my spine. And my brain. When I arrived on the beach there were already doctors and paramedics. It took a while to stabilise me. They couldn’t evacuate me by helicopter because I was not stable enough and also because there was such a massive typical Sydney storm. They decided to take me by the road.
Normally from Manly to Randwick, it’s 45 minutes. With a storm like that, it can be 2 hours. It took them 20 minutes. They even had time to collect more blood for me on the way.
My parents were behind me in a police car. There were 6 police cars to open what they call the Green Corridor. When my mum saw all of that she freaked out and asked the police if they were doing that often or if her son was going to die. He stayed professional and told her they doing it when it was needed.
When I arrived at the hospital, around 50 people were waiting for me. All dressed in different colours. All knew exactly what to do. My parents had to say goodbye. My mum was telling my very complicated name to all of them. And my nickname too, Arbo.
That night, I had 8 surgeries. My parents were surrounded by support and love. From their friends but also the hospital. A doctor keeps them informed of each step. The surgeon took the time to explain to them what surgery they’d do. A doctor was dedicated to explaining in French what they didn’t understand technically. Unexpectedly, I made the night. I had half of my skull left. I had still my stomach open. I had all my limbs in braces but I was alive. And I know I started to fight. I have always been a fighter.
I stayed 5 weeks in a coma in ICU. My parents told me the nurses were so kind and nice. Celebrating each little step. Breathing no more with the machine but with my oxygen. Even being able to see was an event.
I don’t remember anything of the coma. My mum even talked with a guy in France who is talking to the souls. I know everyone prays for me, all around the world. That’s the beauty of having family in Australia, in Europe and America. My first memory is the voice of my mummy meditating with me to transport me into the ocean.
After 5 weeks. I woke up. Christmas Eve. Then everything went fast and slow at the same time. I had my first sip of water. First word. First time out. Still in my bed, the nurses took me to the fairy garden. First steps with the physio under the cheering of my parents. Things were fast. I was making progress and slow because I wanted to go home so badly. The nurse looked after me so well. I had someone 24/7. I played cards. I talked to them. Made jokes. But I missed my dog, my siblings and my school. I missed my life. I wanted to have it back. And I was fighting every minute to get better. To show to the doctor I was good enough to go home. Things are always too slow for 14-year-old boys.
I stayed 3 months at the hospital. 80 days. I could have gone around the world instead.
When I left the hospital, everyone clapped. My parents and I were crying. We were so happy to go home but also so sad to say goodbye to people with whom we shared so many emotions. They know the inside of you. The body and the soul. They’ll be always with me now. The lifeguards, the paramedics, the surgeons, the doctors, the nurses. They are all a little star in my sky. The ones who gave birth to me a second time.
My second life
Today, after 5 months I am back at school full time. I didn’t miss too much of my schoolwork as the school organised distance learning. I had good marks. Not as good as I want but I’m still hanging around 80%.
My body is still dragging me a bit down. I run but slower. I surf but my take-off is not as good. I play tennis. Ping pong. I beat my dad to chess a couple of times. I’m so impatient. I know it’s not even 6 months but I feel so strong. Stronger than before in a way. I know what you can lose. I don’t fight with my siblings anymore, it’s a waste of time. And I’m happy every morning as soon as I get up. My mum said I was starting to be grumpy like a teenager before the fall. I can’t be grumpy for nothing. But I get very emotional. And I accept it. I get frustrated with my slow body but I’m learning to adapt to progress. Things are the same but I have to think about it when before everything was much more natural.
I am so grateful. I don’t feel angry about what happened because I’ve been so lucky to have all those people who saved me. I feel loved. I want to give back. With my life and my professional choices. I always wanted to be a surgeon, but now I don’t see my life without it.
This website is the first step to raising money for the hospital. To help future kids like me to be saved. To make more miracles.
My thanks
My friends
Life Guards
Life Guards
Year 9 Challenge Sports Day people
Finn
Lachlan
Life Guards
Life Guards
Life Guards
Thank you to the Queenscliff lifeguards for saving me and picking me up from the crevice.
Paramedics
Life Guards
Paramedics
Thank you to the Paramedics from the Australian Paramedics Association for bringing me to the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
Police
Post hospital
Paramedics
Thank you to the six police cars that escorted my ambulance through a green corridor from Manly to Randwick.
Hospital
Post hospital
Post hospital
Firstly, I want to thank the nurses in both ICU and the ward for their amazing support to all their patients that they look after. I then want to thank the doctors and surgeons for their ability to fix my body.
Post hospital
Post hospital
Post hospital
Thank you to the Sports Physio Clinic for everything they have done for me. In particular Aiden for the exercises he has given me to reach a level that could only happen in my dreams. I also want to thank Dr Tom Cross for giving me so many ways to get better and stronger.