Jason’s story: From a car crash to making history
Nearly four decades ago, the life of Jason Ross changed in a horrific moment. He became a quadriplegic but never gave up and has achieved against the odds, making history as a civil engineer.
The story of Jason Ross is one many New Zealanders can relate to.
In 1988, the 18-year-old was a passenger in a car driving to Mount Ruapehu for a weekend of skiing.
His good mate, who organised the trip, pulled out at the last minute. It left Jason travelling to Ohakune with someone he’d just met. They left Auckland later than expected and were tired after a full week of university and work.
They were just outside Taumarunui filling the car up with gas before the final stage of the journey.
“I was meant to take over the driving – but the driver said he was fine,” remembers Jason, now 54.
“About 15 minutes later, he fell asleep at the wheel.”
The result was catastrophic. The driver fell asleep with the car accelerating. They crossed to the other side of the road and went into an open drain. They bounced up the bank, through a farm fence, went flying and landed on the roof. Jason’s side of the car took the full impact.
They were driving a Honda Civic and his head was touching the roof to start with.
“My neck got compressed, my vertebrae slid sideways, like when you compress a plastic ruler, severing the spinal cord,” he says.
He was lucky to survive. In that moment, Jason became a complete quadriplegic.
“The driver walked away with a scratch on his arm and I was paralysed for life.”
New reality hard to take
Later, his parents were woken up in the middle of the night by the police, who informed them their son was in a serious accident.
“They tell me it was like a nightmare to hear that news,” he says.
Jason was taken by ambulance to Taumarunui Hospital, where he spent four days in intensive care. He was later transferred to Middlemore in Auckland and his long rehabilitation journey began.
He was admitted to the Auckland Spinal Unit in Otara in August and didn’t leave until February the following year.
Prior to his accident, Jason was a sporty and active teenager, so his new reality was hard to comprehend.
He remembers one moment in the spinal unit when it was all too much.
“It took me about 45 minutes to put on a pair of trackpants. And that's when I first broke down. I knew my life was going to be very different going forward.”
Jason Ross looking at photos of himself from around the time of his accident.
‘I set about chasing my dream’
Jason says the team at the spinal unit were great to deal with and it was a supportive environment. Going home was a huge hurdle to overcome.
He says ACC has played a leading role in his rehabilitation and modified his parents’ home, including installing a lift.
“The support of ACC has been a big part of my life – they’ve always been there and helped me start again.”
Jason was focused on getting back to the University of Auckland. He was in his first year of four to complete a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He set the goal of becoming a civil engineer.
While recovering, he visited the university and remembers the conversation he had with the dean of civil engineering.
“I met with him and he said: ‘No, unfortunately, it’s going to be too hard for you to complete your studies with your level of disability.’
“I remember thinking to myself ‘bugger that’. I set about proving him wrong and chasing my dream.”
Making history with an inspirational graduation
Ross was discharged from the spinal unit on a Friday and started university the following Monday.
There were 36 papers and 12 to 14 laboratories – Jason completed them all over four years.
He became the first quadriplegic to complete a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland.
He received a standing ovation at his graduation ceremony.
“That was a proud moment,” he says.
“My friends and family knew how hard I’d worked to achieve my degree and it signified that I could still achieve with my disability.”
Taking pride in a remarkable career
After nine months looking for a job, he approached an organisation called Workbridge, who help people with disabilities seek employment.
They rang Manukau Consultants Ltd and explained Jason was looking for work experience for three months without pay. It was the start of his career.
“In 1993, the acting CEO of Manukau Consultants was a good man and he said to me: ‘I want to give you a shot at this.’ I was so excited to begin my career as a structural engineer.”
Since 2000, he’s worked for Australian engineering company GHD, switching to becoming a water engineer designing large infrastructure projects. He mentors young graduates and has become an associate.
“They see me as a person. And I take huge amount of pride in being a valued and respected member of the team in a large international company.”
Jason Ross with his father Ron and caregiver Hila Benmeir.
Dream big and never give up
Jason has two pieces of sound advice. Firstly, for those who are heading to the mountain for a weekend of skiing.
“Stop for a moment before you get in the car to think about the journey. Are you feeling tired? Maybe you should leave in the morning. Take your time and don’t rush. One decision like that can have a lifelong consequence.”
And for people who are starting out their journey with a spinal cord impairment.
“Dream big, never give up. Set yourself some realistic goals and then work on achieving them,” he says.
“Just because you’re in a wheelchair, your life isn’t over. There’s still so much you can do.”
