Jono’s story opens up doors
Timaru hand cyclist Jonathan ‘‘Jono’’ Nelson is a hero to those who embrace the adversities of life and serves as an inspiration to many.
The 37-year-old was given just 24 hours to live when he was born with a rare spina bifida condition, but he has managed to defy the odds to be a sporting champion.
Nelson’s story was recently highlighted with the release of an ‘‘Attitude’’ documentary that featured on television.
‘‘Attitude’’ is a portal which showcases documentaries telling real world stories of people living with disability and Nelson’s documentary – Being Me – Jono – gives an insight into his life.
‘‘People generally don’t realise how my life looks like at home and what goes on behind the scenes as I train for the races.’’
The 23-minute documentary was filmed across various stages of his life, from home, work and the epic K2 race day.
‘‘The documentary was filmed for about four days in Timaru and a day’s filming in K2, during my race. Together, the documentary came out very well’’
Nelson became the first person to complete the one-day K2 cycling event with a hand cycle in April.
Navigating a 192-kilometre stretch through the Coromandel Peninsula with over 2300 metres of ascent, K2 is considered one of the toughest races in Southern Hemisphere. He finished the race in about 10 hours and 37 minutes.
‘‘The response to the video has been wonderful. People thanked me for being open and honest about showing it to the world about how my day-to-day life looks like. Many thanked me for being an inspiration’’
After the show’s success on TV, Nelson has been called by a keynote speaking company to deliver motivational talks.
With a flurry of experience behind him, having raced wheelchairs before beginning hand cycling at the age of 24, he dreams of going to the Tokyo Paralympics.
‘‘I’m in the long list of candidates for the Paralympics this year. If it doesn’t happen, I will work towards the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Nelson has been a top wheelchair racer in New Zealand, starting at 13 years old and has several awards to his name.
But in early 2000 he had to face another hurdle of life as his health deteriorated, and he had to quit wheelchair racing.
It was at this point Nelson accepted his limitations and challenged himself in transitioning to hand cycling.
Nelson has never looked back.
He is ranked No 1 in New Zealand hand cycling and has also represented New Zealand in four World Cups, the 2013 world championships in Canada and several tournaments overseas.
Nelson’s recipe to success is a mix of repetitious workouts and paying heed to what he puts on his food plate.
He works for NZ Care disability as a home and support worker.