Sydney teen told he may never walk again after catastrophic spinal injury at friend’s 18th birthday party

DAILYMAIL.COM • 1d ago

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA 00:08 10 Oct 2026, updated 00:12 10 Oct 2026

A teenage apprentice in Sydney may never walk again after suffering a catastrophic spinal injury at a friend’s 18th birthday party.

Kennett Cardona, 18, had a bright future ahead of him as he planned to resume his carpentry apprenticeship after taking time off to care for his mother, Cielo, following her recent spinal surgery.

The teenager, from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, was also making plans to travel to his mother’s homeland, Colombia, to visit family for the first time in February next year.

But, on September 5, Mr Cardona’s life changed when he jumped into a swimming pool at a friend’s home and landed on his neck and back, resulting in a catastrophic spinal cord injury.

He was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he underwent a 12-and-a-half-hour emergency operation and spent two days in an induced coma.

Mr Cardona was later transferred to hospital in Randwick, where he spent three weeks in intensive care and remains in a spinal injury ward.

He is expected to remain in hospital for at least six months and has been told by doctors that he is unlikely to walk again.

The teenager is struggling to come to terms with the likely prognosis.

Read the uncensored Cornell Snapchat messages that shocked America1.2K viewing now Kennett Cardona (right) is unlikely to walk again after suffering a spinal injury at a friend’s 18th birthday party The Sydney teen (pictured with his mother) will remain in hospital for at least six monthsThe teen apprentice dreamed of travelling overseas and saving up to buy a home’Kennett has good and bad days,’ family friend Sandra Bernal told the Daily Mail.

‘Some days, he’s determined to walk again and lead a normal life. Other days, he’s angry and upset at the thought of the difficult road ahead.

‘He’s yet to fully accept how much his life has changed.’

The community has rallied around the teen and his mother as they prepare to navigate the challenging months ahead.

His mother, who raised him on her own, speaks limited English and cannot work due to her own health problems.

‘Cielo is spending every moment at her son’s bedside,’ Ms Bernal said.

‘They’re taking it each day as it comes as they try to work out what life is going to look like moving forward.

‘When Kennett is ready to come home, they will not be able to return to the unit where they’re currently living.’

Friends hope that sharing his ordeal will raise awareness about water safety as summer approaches.

Diving into shallow water is one of the leading causes of sports and recreation-related spinal cord injuries in Australia.

Young males aged 15 to 30 account for the majority of these injuries.

Friends hope to help ease the financial burden on the family so they can focus on recovery and rehabilitation.

‘Instead of thinking about school, work, friends and the future, Kennett and his family are facing hospital stays, medical treatment, rehabilitation and the possibility of significant changes to the way he will live his life,’ a GoFundMe for Kennett says.

‘Kennett’s mum, Cielo, is a single mum standing by her son’s side through this heartbreaking time.

‘She is also unable to work due to her own circumstances, and this is expected to be permanent.

‘Cielo is carrying an enormous emotional and practical burden while supporting her son through his treatment and recovery.

‘Together, we can remind Kennett and Cielo that they are not facing this alone.’

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