From spinal injury to tearing up the slopes

Bailley Unahi suffered a severe spinal injury following the collapse of a crowded balcony at a Six60 concert on Dunedin's infamous Castle Street.

Since the 2016 accident she has pursued a career she never knew she wanted and taken up a sport she hopes will take her all the way to next year's Winter Paralympics - sit-skiing.

“Essentially, we're sitting down strapped into quite a customised frame that has a motorcycle suspension and shock, and then we only have one ski," she told RNZ’s Nine to Noon.

Related stories:

“We've got the same binding and skis as everyone else, but we just have one of them. And then we have two outriggers, which look like crutches, with wee skiers on the bottom, which helps us balance.”

Unahi, who is paralysed from the waist down because of the accident, says the sport is physically demanding.

“A lot of it is the technique and, then try not to have too much fear and having that confidence to go fast and trust yourself, because you're usually, right on the edge of your comfort.”

She had done little skiing prior to the accident, she says.

“I didn't think it was going to be something I could get into after my injury, because I couldn't ski with two legs, so I wasn't sure how I'd do it paralysed.”

Nevertheless, the sport has given her freedom and opportunities, she says.

“The skiing is the thing that gave me the opportunity to be active, be outdoors, meet new people, and kind of feel that freedom like everyone else does.”

Her life was turned upside down after the accident, Unahi says.

“I was 19, I was living a very independent life, having fun, and didn't really have much to think about.

“And then all of a sudden I had to think about how to do those day-to-day, things all over again. How do I dress myself? How do I shower? How do I use a wheelchair in the community?

“What do I do for job? What do I do for sport? How do people treat me? How do I even get around my community?”

An Outward Bound course made her realise that although her injury was life changing, it was not life limiting.

“I got to understand and see firsthand, actually you can still do everything that you once did, it just looks a lot different now and takes a lot more time.

“You have to have the right people around you, but it is still possible. So, I think that changed my perspective.”

She is also pursuing a career in occupational therapy, something she knew little about prior to her spinal injury.

“Working in the OT industry in the community setting, which I thought was probably going to be one of the more challenging settings, it's actually been amazing and an advantage.

“I've got a hand-controlled car so I can drive out and see clients. I have portable ramps so I can get into their homes, or I can go through the driveway, through the garage, so you just figure out ways."

Her injury gives her a professional advantage, she says.

“It helps me kind of connect with people and support people with achieving their goals.”