Before heading to Paris for the 2024 Paralympics, gold medal winner Scott Reardon visited Yass High School to speak with students about resilience and farm safety.

The former sprinter and Temora High School student will support his wife Vanessa Low as her high-performance coach at the largest-ever Paralympic Games, where she is competing in the women’s long jump T61 event.

During his visit to Yass High, Mr Reardon spoke to staff and students about his incredible sporting journey after losing a leg in a life-changing tractor accident on his family farm when he was just 12 years old.

And while farm safety was a key element of his talk, Mr Reardon said his key message was encouraging students to overcome challenges through resilience.

“When you are 12 years old, you can't imagine that something like that can happen to you,” Mr Reardon said.

“I felt extremely lucky to survive my accident and get another chance at life.

“It helped me to embrace a positive attitude to overcoming adversity and achieve my goal to be the world's fastest T42 sprinter.

“My message to young people is about building resilience through things like support networks and mindfulness, and to use this strength to chase their dreams.”

Yass High School Year 7 student, Willow Larkham, said Mr Reardon’s visit was unforgettable.

 "Hearing his story was inspirational, the way in which he has overcome challenges to be so successful,” Willow said.

“I have taken away the message that farm safety needs to be really considered and it will affect the way I approach things in the future.

“Getting to hold his medals and have photos with him is something I will remember for many years to come.”

Yass High School Principal, Andrew Facer, said the talk provided a huge inspiration to students, with the personal message of safety, recovery and achievement resonating strongly.

 "To have Scott share his journey with our staff and students was very powerful,” Mr Facer said.

“His experience in overcoming the odds to become a top Paralympian resonated strongly with all our students, and the experience for them of holding his gold and silver medals in their hands is one they will never forget.

“It will inspire them to be the best they can be for years to come."

Mr Reardon’s visit to the school was part of iCare’s Paralympian speakers program that aims to prevent accidents by raising awareness.