By Brendan Rees
When Luke Helmuth fell three floors from a balcony, he could have easily given up any hope of leading a normal life.
Instead, the 27-year-old, who spends his life in a wheel-chair, has not allowed his disability to define him.
Luke has now become an inspiration to members at Cranbourne’s Anytime Fitness gym where he attends three times a day.
“His injuries and his situation aren’t affecting him at all, i’s quite incredible,” says manager Jason Maurice.
“He’s got a lot of strength behind him; the amount of weights he can lift on some exercises is pretty impressive.
“He gets on the leg press by himself, on the seated leg press, and on the stair master which is incredible,” he said.
Mr Helmuth’s life was turned upside when he fell from a hotel balcony in 2013 while celebrating the Summernats Car Festival in Canberra.
He is unable to talk as a result but in a message using his phone, he says “It was so hot, me and my friend and girlfriend at the time decided to go for a swim at my hotel.
“On the way back, we had to wait for a lift so I sat on a handrail, three floors up and fell off. I lost my balance and landed on a marble floor,” he explained.
“I was in a coma for four months now I need to learn to walk and talk again. I had a severe brain bleed.”
But today, Luke is determined about regaining his fitness and health by stepping into the gym every day.
He has already racked up more 500 visits, earning him a hall-of-fame award with Anytime Fitness.
“The members have no problem helping him out as well which has built a good culture in the club,” says Mr Maurice.
“He’s positive, he’s personality is great, and has good humour.”
