Adventure race after nearly dying
A woman who spent two weeks in a coma and was expected to need constant care has completed a 14-hour adventure race.
Jules Wilson was just a typical 21-year-old when a car crash in 2005 changed her life forever.
Wilson, now 32, spent 21⁄2 weeks in a coma, had a section of her skull taken out, and doctors told her mother to turn off life support.
‘‘They said if I did pull through, it was highly likely I would need 24-hour care.’’
However, Wilson is not only defying those expectations, but exceeding them too.
She was one of 1200 women who took part in the Whai Ora Spirited Women – All Women’s Adventure Race in Taupo on Saturday.
Wilson completed the race as part of a four-woman team, mountainbiking, hiking and paddle boarding.
‘‘It was probably the most mentally challenging thing that I have done.
Wilson’s life was set back in 2005 when she was a passenger in a car that crashed into a ditch at 150kmh.
‘‘They removed part of my skull to let the swelling in my brain go down.’’
In the face of the grim prognosis, her mother agreed to have Wilson’s life support turned off.
But Wilson fought and pulled through. However, another battle was ahead of her.
When she woke, she had amnesia for six months and had to re-learn how to walk and do things for herself.
Now – 11 years and a lot of rehab later – and Wilson refuses to slow down.
Wilson and her team hiked 12km, biked 40km and paddled 4km.
The gruelling race left her with swelling, bruises and scratches, but she did not regret a thing.