SNN_August 2022 Issue_web low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 12
“Everyone was so curious”
Starting at Fairfield Intermediate in Hamilton was the
beginning of a new chapter. Jamie was the only person at
her school in a wheelchair.
“Everyone was so curious,” she says with a laugh. “They
asked so many questions about what happened and what
it was like. I had people coming up to me every morning
tea and lunch. I became known as ‘Jamie, the girl in the
wheelchair’.”
She moved onto Waikato Diocesan School (Dio) for Girls.
She found being in a wheelchair made her shyer and
more nervous.
“I made a decision to dive in and get involved like
everyone else. Dio were really good at making sure
everything was accessible. I had a wonderful group of
friends who were tight knit and made a big difference. I
didn’t look back.”
Finding a new passion
Jamie’s friends only ever knew her as being in a
wheelchair.
“I didn’t get treated any differently by them. It was nice to
be just like everyone else.”
At Dio, she excelled in art subjects and her new passion
was born.
“I love being creative,” she says. “As girly as this sounds, I
love make up and fashion. I love doing my friends’ make
up for balls.
“I love connecting with people in that way. I love it when I
do someone’s make up and they feel good. Seeing that
smile on their face is really special.”
Jamie’s positivity is
infectious—something
we can all learn from.
—Meg Speirs, CatWalk Trust
After completing High School, Jamie began working with
the NZ Police in Hamilton. She is an administrator and
responsible for reviewing firearms applications.
“It’s our team’s role to keep our community safe. We make
sure the people who get firearms are fit and proper,” she
says proudly. “That is our goal. I have a great team. I am
still working out what I want to do long term, but for now,
I love my role.”
She takes great pride in being an ambassador for the
CatWalk Trust.
“I was a bit surprised to be asked but it’s a real honour,”
she says. “It’s great to be able to inspire others through
being an ambassador.”
A few years ago, Jamie featured on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp
when she told her story in CatWalk’s ‘One in a Million’
campaign. Every year her school picked a charity for
fundraisers and CatWalk was selected as the recipient in
Year 12.
Meg Speirs is the General Manager at The CatWalk Trust.
She says Jamie was a natural fit in what they look for in an
ambassador.
ALL STRAPPED UP: Ready to leave Whangarei Hospital to be flown to Starship Hospital.