Mum’s the word

A Palmerston North mum is proud of her efforts to go from coma patient to national bodybuilding champs finalist in a few short years.

Jose Marshall, 27, didn’t win or gain a place at the NABBA New Zealand nationals in Palmerston North on Sunday. But it was never about winning.

It was about standing on that stage, three years to the day after a car crash that left her with a serious brain injury. It was about proving she could make it to the national competition after relearning how to walk and talk. ‘‘I feel so proud that I’ve finally done it. When I came to after the coma, I never thought I’d be here.’’

Marshall can’t remember the crash that put her in a coma, on Labour Day in 2014.

When she woke up two weeks later she had to relearn how to walk and talk. She said her rehabilitation became a full-time job. So she thought: ‘‘Well, if I’m training this hard, I might as well compete.’’

Marshall set herself the goal of making it to the national bodybuilding championships. And now she’s made it she’s stepping back from competition for now to spend time with her family. ‘‘It’s great to be back to normality and I’m dedicating myself back to being a full-time mum.’’

Her daughters, 8-year-old Gisele Marshall and 5-year-old Sophia Wereta, watched their mum’s triumph from the audience with her partner, Carlos Weatherhead.

‘‘My girls were so proud of me... and Carlos has been my rock the whole time.’’

Weatherhead had only been with Marshall for three months before the crash. But he never left her hospital bed, was right there when she woke up, and has supported her through everything ever since, she said.