A QUADRIPLEGIC has used his personal story to warn year 12 students at Hume Central Secondary College about the dangers of risk-taking activities.

Anthony Gray suffered permanent spinal cord damage that left him in a wheelchair after a BMX bike accident when he was 19.

The 25-year-old Lalor resident spoke to the students as part of the RACV SpinChat school speakers program.

It involves young people with spinal cord injuries visiting secondary schools across the state to talk about the risks and effects of high-risk activities, including dangerous driving or diving into shallow water.

Mr Gray has been a speaker with the program since 2008.

"It's to get the message out about risk-taking.

"I tell them my story and about my accident and try to make them a bit more wary and [to] think about what they are doing first."

He said the other important message was that life did not stop in a wheelchair.

"If someone asked me how I'd deal with being a quad two weeks before the accident, I would have said that I wouldn't cope at all, and would keel over and die.

"But when you have to cope, you cope. The only other option is to stay in bed and live a life of misery. I can't, and won't, choose that option".

He said the students responded well to his presentation, particularly as they were in the at-risk age group.

Research shows those aged 15-24 are at the greatest risk of spinal cord injury.

"I show the kids how easily it can happen and hopefully make them think a bit more.

"If I can change one or two lives in each talk, then I've done my job."

Year 12 student Kristie Ross, 17, said the main message she took from Mr Gray was to be careful.

"An accident can be life-changing and it doesn't just affect you but those around you. It makes you think twice about what you do."

Michael Devine, 17, said it was a touching experience and hit home more because of his ambition to become a paramedic. "It could happen to anyone and it opened my eyes to what could be out there."

Sandy Ayoub, 16, said Mr Gray was an inspiration.

"The message was to stay strong no matter what has put you down."