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From an early age, Janine Shepherd had been deeply involved in sports, particularly athletics. By the age of 10 she had won several national championship titles.

Janine loved and excelled in all sports she tried: sprinting, race-walking, cycling, swimming, squash, long-distance running and skiing, to name but a few. It was cross-country skiing that finally won her. She was a natural and, headed for glory, was honoured by an offer to train with the Canadian team in the lead-up to the Winter Olympics in Calgary in 1988.

All Janine’s plans and dreams were shattered suddenly by an horrific cycling accident. So serious were her injuries, her family was warned she wasn't expected to live. She was told she would never walk. She was told she would never have children. Janine refused to accept this and through sheer guts and the incredible strength of her will power, she overcame all the odds and the pain to do all of these and so much more. Janine learnt to fly, and not satisfied with that, went on to gain her commercial pilot's license, instructor’s license and to become an aerobatics flying instructor. Finally she achieved a new goal – to fly in an FA-18 Hornet, unheard of previously for a civilian passenger.

Never Tell Me Never is the book Janine wrote of her experiences as she overcame the physical and mental obstacles to her recovery. A feature film based on the book was shown on Australia’s Channel 10 on Mother’s Day, and has since been released on video and sold throughout the world.

Janine was a director to the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, a position she held from her appointment in September 1998 until her resignation in March 1999.

In recognition of her achievements Janine was honoured with the Junior Chamber International Outstanding Young Person of the World award in Manila in November 1998.

Janine has released two other books, Dare To Fly __and Reaching for Stars – reflections on a journey through life and living__.

Janine's story is moving and uplifting. She is a truly inspirational woman whose courage and determination have taken her from the brink of death to motherhood and the skies. Her story inspires her audiences to achieve their goals and dreams they never thought possible.

"My story is not about the fact that it is a miracle I'm walking. That would mean that walking was all there is … that if you couldn't walk, you wouldn't have a life. But that's just not true. The miracle to me is that I survived an horrendous accident, lost a lot of abilities I'd previously taken for granted, and am still able to have a worthwhile life. In fact, a wonderful life – I have value as a person".