Thirty-two years ago, Jason Eade was preparing to represent New Zealand as a boxer at the Barcelona Olympics. But a motorbike crash changed the course of his life forever. The Wellingtonian has made a full recovery and is now a champion golfer. He is sharing his story of overcoming adversity to help others.

“Make the most out of life” – the advice from a national golf champion

Jason Eade is facing a downhill left-to-right putt to win the championship.

Caption: Jason Eade of Wellington who last year won the New Zealand Disability Golf Championship. Photo credit: Simon Watts / BW Media.

It’s a pressure moment, but truth be told the Wellington golfer has faced and overcome much tougher moments than this one in his life.

“Being a national champion means more to me now that I’m getting a bit older and I’m still able to beat the young fellas,” says the 54-year-old.

“My drive is for the next generation to see someone like me with a disability. I’ve had my challenges, but I’ve also had some great experiences. I want them to see the opportunities and make the most out of life.”

Jason won the New Zealand Disability Golf Championship in 2022. He recently competed at the New Zealand All Abilities Championship and says it’s great to see a pathway for golfers with a disability.

“I love this event,” said Jason, who has played competitive golf all over the world.

“To play against other golfers who have a disability or special needs has been incredible.

“I will support it for as long as I can. It has shown the wider community that there are so many more people who can play golf and that it is game for everyone.

“Of course, we all want to win and it’s a great battle. But on the 19th hole it is great to meet people and hear their story.”

Jason has a hell of a story to share himself.

“A split-second decision saved my life”

Back in 1991, he was riding his motorbike near Kaiapoi, north of Canterbury. It was a cool, early autumn afternoon and the sun was low in the sky. He came around a corner and was blinded by sunstrike.

When his vision came clear, he was heading straight for a lamppost.

“I had to make a split-second decision and I used my boxing skills to duck,” he recalled.

“If I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be here to tell the story.”

Jason hit the lamppost with incredible force. His left leg came off at the knee.

The 22-year-old was lying on the side of the road in a state of shock. A bystander made a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

“They saved my life,” he said.

Twenty minutes later, Jason was on his way to Christchurch Hospital in an ambulance.

That night he was told by the doctors that they would remove his leg from above the knee because the crash had caused too much damage.

Jason had an amputated left leg, his right leg was badly broken, but he didn’t have any internal damage.

“I remember lying in the hospital bed and thinking, man I am lucky to be alive.”

Jason was a national rep in boxing and was preparing to compete at the 1992 Olympics.

“It was a big change in my life. At the time I was pretty despondent,” he says.

“I had no idea what life would hold for me. I had to learn what life was like with a physical disability. I had to start again.”

Not looking back

Jason had a long road to recovery, and he fully committed himself to his rehabilitation.

He learned how to walk again. And also had to overcome some mental battles.

“I had concerns, [like] how are people going to perceive me? What are they going to think of me as a person with a disability?. As you get older, you realise that all of that stuff doesn’t matter.”

Jason said the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) had been at the heart of his recovery.

“ACC has been on the journey the whole way with me,” he says. “They have supported me in every way, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

The government agency has covered his medical costs, home modifications, car modifications, rehab, and transport, and provided a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg which helps him in his golf.

He tried wheelchair tennis and rugby but says: “I found it unusual taking my leg off and sitting in a wheelchair to play sport.”

He moved to Wellington in 1999 and attended a work ambrose golf tournament in 2007. It proved to be a turning point.

“I hit a couple of really good shots and thought to myself, I can do this,” he says. “I went away and taught myself how to play.”

Finding a new passion

Caption: Jason Eade is the chief concierge at the Intercontinental hotel in Wellington. Photo credit: Simon Watts / BW Media.

Jason now plays off a 10 handicap at the Royal Wellington Golf Club. He plays both days every weekend.

His best score is an even par 72 at the Manor Park Golf Club where he was a member for many years and had a hole in one.

“I love golf because you will never master it. But that’s the same with life, isn’t it?”

Away from the course, Jason has worked at the Intercontinental Hotel in Wellington for 23 years.

He started as a porter and is now the chief concierge, managing a team of 12 people. He was recognised internationally, twice winning an HM Award for hotel and accommodation excellence.

“My desire is to be the best concierge team in New Zealand,” he says. “My young team are coming with me along the way.”

Jason says it was always important for him to work and be part of his community.

“The team here have been very supportive of me,” he says. “It’s a tough industry to work in with a disability. You are on your feet all day. But I never want to make excuses.”

He has simple advice for others who have sustained a life-changing injury.

“You have a personal responsibility to yourself to keep living. You only get one shot at this thing called life and you have got to give it the best you can.

“When you get older like me, you don’t want to look back on lost years. You look back and you think, what a waste. Make the most of every day and enjoy it.”