Story of determination

Jarod Haddow was gone from bedridden in hospital three years ago to recently walking into his TAFE graduation.

WHEN Jarod Haddow walked into his TAFE graduation in Cairns – tentatively placing one foot in front of the other – the crowd erupted in applause.

It is three years since Jarod was injured by a motorcyclist on a pedestrian crossing at Mt Sheridan and went from being an active teenager making movies in his family’s garage to bedridden in hospital.

His mother Melicha Woodcock said it was her “proudest moment ever” and she felt “overwhelming joy” when she watched Jarod walk into his Certificate III in Media graduation ceremony at TAFE Queensland North.

Jarod spent 22 days in an induced coma after the accident, which left him with a brain injury and a long recovery in Brisbane, where he had to learn how to breath, swallow, talk, eat and move again.

Ms Woodcock and her other children moved south to be near Jarod, also known as JJ, during the rehabilitation.

She said his determination was inspiring and his studies had helped his recovery.

“When JJ first went to class he was non-verbal,” Ms Woodcock said. “He didn’t communicate because he was still working on his speech.

“Over time his speech got better and people could talk to him and he’d follow what they were saying.”

Now learning to walk again, JJ was cheered on by family, friends, teachers and classmates as he came through the doors for his graduation.

“The course has taught me to never give up and not be afraid to try,” he said.

Now he is planning his next movie-making adventure.

“I like special effects. I am thinking of making a sci-fi movie. It’ll take between one and three months.”

Ms Woodcock said JJ had loved making movies before his accident and had caught the attention of filmmakers.

“I can see JJ as a producer one day with his own production company,” she said.