Jason presented us with the story of his life as a double amputee.
It began twenty-one years ago with an horrific Quad motor-cycle race collision with a concealed tree stump at 140 km/h, resulting in massive damage to his spine, liver, pancreas, legs, and arms. The resulting paraplegia meant four months in the Austin Hospital with four weeks in Intensive Care, followed by two years of recovery.
Jason then began a successful career in Disabled Water-Skiing, earning many race-winning medals in the various classes of the sport.
He suffered a severely broken leg in a skiing accident, which landed him back at the Austin where the leg was rebuilt. Unfortunately, the leg did not heal, and after gangrene was diagnosed due to diabetes, the decision was made to amputate both legs above the knee.
In Jason’s words, ”They were useless anyway.”
He went on to win world records in countless overseas competitions, and now devotes himself to coaching disabled water skiing and snow skiing competitors world-wide.
At the age of 55, he is off to the U.S. shortly to compete in what he feels will be his last competitive race meeting.
Jason still rides motor bikes: “Can’t go fast enough” and describes himself as being “Never satisfied. I can do this better, faster, more smoothly next time.” He is constantly goal-setting and refuses to rest on past achievements.
The word inspirational is thrown around carelessly today, but anyone who heard this remarkable man speak of overcoming his situations could not help but be impressed.
A truly astonishing address, and we thank Jason very much for his attendance.
- Chris Purton
