My life after February 28th 2010 - The day I started life in a wheelchair

In 2013 - A WINZ case worker described me as an “Invalid Paralegic”… no that’s not a spelling mistake, that’s what the WINZ case manager referred to me as. An invalid paralegic, so that’s the label a 20 something employee of our National Welfare agency (WINZ) referred to me as. An Invalid Paralegic.

Wind back the clock to pre 28th Feb, 2010. I was working two contracts for Maori Television and planning to go live in the Middle East. I was driving back to my hometown, Hastings, to pick up my daughter, see my mum, and basically tidy up loose ends. My back was sore: I thought “lady problems”, too much sitting, too much driving, anxious - and within 2-3 hours I was paralysed from the waist down. That’s how fast it happened; 2-3 hours.

They didn't know what it was or what caused it and eventually I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Transverse Myelitis, or in layman’s terms, my immune system had attacked my spine, paralysing me, for no apparent reason. It was not an accident so I came under the Ministry of Health, or the poor second cousin to ACC. In a matter of months I had ceased to be the award winning documentary maker who was venturing into film, the single Mum that brought up 3 kids with the help of her mother, and the friend who was always there for her friends and family. I was now an invalid paralegic. I lost my job, I had no home, I had an 11 year old daughter who basically became my caregiver, and I was told… if it hasn't come back in 3 months, best you learn to live in a wheelchair.

Fast forward 2023 I have been back to the Middle East 3 times, twice taking my daughter with me; started my own company with a friend who went on to bigger better things so I took over; made a documentary in Cambodia about clearing land mines using giant African rats; completed a Masters in Creative writing; shot a feature film with an extraordinary group of women and one pretty great guy; made two short films (wrote and directed); Co wrote and co directed a feature film about a trail blazing woman, made an average web series, co wrote and co directed a prime times series for Warners bros and I’m about to go into production with my black comedy about being in a spinal unit. Invalid paralegic my arse!