The recognition was given for Todd's more than 10 years of support to the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Program (RYDA) at last Friday's Rotary changeover in Taree.

At the age of 22 Todd Green had the world at his feet. 

He was a qualified chef and had just become engaged when he was involved in a devastating car accident. 

Todd was a front seat passenger in a collision in Wingham on December 29, 2003 which claimed the life of his friend and left himself critically injured and barely alive.

The accident changed Todd's life and the lives of his family, relatives, friends and those who knew him forever.

This young man's remarkable journey on the long road to recovery started that fateful evening and following many operations and a lengthy period of rehabilitation he returned home.  It was at this point that Dr Colin Rose came back into his life assisting with his rehabilitation.

Around the same time, The Rotary Club of Taree was developing and rolling out the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Program (RYDA) and the coordinator was looking for a presenter for the Crash Survivor session.

Rotarian Dr Col Rose spoke with Todd and his parents who agreed to tell their story and journey to Year 11 students participating in this program in the hope that this would prevent other young people from also becoming accident victims.  

Todd and his parents have attended and supported every RYDA program since its inception back in 2004 in Taree and in 2015, Forster Tuncurry also.

This young man's courage and determination to rehabilitate himself have been nothing short of amazing over the ensuing years to a point where he is now living independently, has obtained his motor vehicle drivers licence once again and is working three days a week at Valley Industries.

His personal story and journey since his accident at each RYDA program is inspirational and a solid reminder to those attending of the dangers involved in not only driving a motor vehicle but also as a passenger. 

Todd's contribution to the RYDA program can not be overstated especially in the programs early years where he was wheelchair bound and had difficulty speaking. 

Story courtesy of the Rotary Club of Taree.