Barney & Kada The Power Of Us

Barney Miller, a quadriplegic, and his wife Kada refuse to accept limitations on how they live. Barney not only stood for his bride at their wedding but together, they tell Sue Smethurst, they are looking to a life of surfing, songs and, one day, a family.

- Sue Smethurst

There’s a phrase written in big bold letters on chalkboard at Barney and Kada Miller’s beachside home. It’s a line from the Hugh Jackman movie The Greatest Showman that goes: “A million dreams for the world we’re gonna make.”

In fact, in every corner of their coastal hideaway sits a spark of inspiration – it may be a book, a quote, a photo or the impressive collection of mementos from dreams already achieved, reminding all who come into their realm of their mantra: anything is possible in life.

“There’s nothing sweeter than achieving something you’ve been told you can’t,” says Barney, proudly pointing out a prized gold trophy he claimed last year when he won a surfing World Title in the United States.

In 1999, David “Barney” Miller, 39, then a talented young surfer with the world at his feet, was involved in a shocking car crash. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, but he refused to die. Barney, as he is affectionately known, miraculously survived but faced life in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. He was told he’d never walk or breathe unassisted again.

His young wife Kada, 28, has also endured her share of pain – a troubled teen, she left home when her life ran off the rails, with alcohol, teen sex and bad influences taking her down a path of certain destruction.

Whether it’s a miracle, fate or just plain luck, somehow the stars aligned when these two crossed paths 10 years ago. Now they’re sharing the inspiring story of how they’ve turned their lives around in a new book, The Essence of You and Me.

“We just want to show people that anything’s possible,” Barney says. “We are living proof.”