A Queensland handyman is paralysed from the neck down and may never walk again after an alleged brutal bashing at his Rockhampton home.

Brian Thring, 55, says he needs help to do everything - drink water, eat food, go to the bathroom, even wipe tears from his eyes.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Handyman paralysed after alleged neighbour attack

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“To try and lift a finger is like running a marathon,” he said from his bed at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, two weeks after the alleged attack.

The boilermaker and handyman says he was working on a trailer with power tools when he was allegedly ambushed by neighbour Billy-Lee James Engel.

“All I saw was him flying at me with punches,” Thring said.

Brian Thring woke up and couldn’t move. Credit: 7NEWS

CCTV captured the 14 second alleged attack. Credit: 7NEWS

Police say it was 14 seconds of brutality before the alleged attacker casually walked away.

“All I knew was when I woke up, I couldn’t move,” Thring said.

He was flown to Brisbane where three vertebrae were removed and replaced with a cage to allow his spine to decompress.

Doctors have told him he may be a paraplegic or quadriplegic.

“It’s going to be a very slim chance of even doing anything normal ever again,” he said.

His 33-year-old alleged attacker was charged with grievous bodily harm and appeared in a Rockhampton court on Thursday.

Doctors say he may be a paraplegic or quadriplegic. Credit: 7NEWS

His 33-year-old alleged attacker was refused bail. Credit: 7NEWS

Already serving a suspended sentence for drug convictions, the father of three was refused bail by a magistrate.

“It’s a relief for my brother. It doesn’t help him, but it’ll give us peace,” Thring’s sister Ally Ellis said.

Thring now faces a painful recovery and months in hospital away from family, with questions swirling about how he’ll live, make money or keep up mortgage repayments.

“If it wasn’t for some really good people around, you probably would want to die,” he said.

“I’ve got to try and be strong and get through it.”