Former gymnast Ava Costa has created a new online platform called The Sharing Shed to help people access specialist disability equipment that might otherwise go unused. Originally from Victoria, Ava moved to Morningside in Brisbane to pursue her gymnastics training, and her recovery journey has now become a way to support others.
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Ava’s life changed in April 2023, when she fell from a balance beam during training, landed on her neck, and dislocated vertebrae. The injury damaged her spinal cord and left her dependent on specialised pieces of equipment to carry out many everyday activities. She spent 168 days in hospital as part of her recovery. Once she was discharged, she needed items like a wheelchair appropriate for her size and mobility level, as well as a shower chair, which were essential but not always immediately accessible.
At home, as her rehabilitation progressed, Ava found that many of the expensive items she had relied upon earlier—such as wheelchairs, cushions, or other therapies devices—were no longer required. Rather than letting them sit idle, she and her mother Randi decided to start The Sharing Shed, a network to connect people who have equipment with those who need it.
The Sharing Shed is modelled on a lending-library concept, but for mobility and rehab tools. Through the platform, people can donate, lend, or borrow equipment such as wheelchairs, cushions, and other rehab devices. Since launching, Ava’s family has rehomed her first wheelchair and secured storage space for donated items, aiming to distribute them where they can make the most difference.
The costs associated with rehabilitation are steep. For example, Ava’s functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike reportedly cost $50,000, making such equipment prohibitively expensive for many. By circulating this kind of gear through her sharing network, Ava hopes to lower financial barriers so that more people can access the tools they need.
In addition to its practical purpose, The Sharing Shed aims to build a community of mutual support. It offers a way for people recovering from spinal injuries to connect over shared resources and experience, rather than each navigating the challenges alone. Ava’s own recovery—from being hospitalised to turning her surplus gear into a shared asset—shows how the right equipment, used at the right time, can make a real difference.
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Ava’s family hopes The Sharing Shed will expand across Australia, enabling many more individuals with mobility needs to benefit from recycled, donated equipment. For anyone interested in donating or borrowing, the platform provides a practical, community-driven way to give specialist items a second life—and help others on their recovery journey.
Published 20-November-2025
