Wedding joy for Adelaide coward punch victimJason Lindsley
FIVE and a half years ago, even being able to say the words “I do” seemed a long shot for Jason Lindsley. As heartwarming stories go, this is a beauty.
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FIVE and a half years ago, even being able to say the words “I do” seemed a long shot for Jason Lindsley.
Lying motionless in a coma in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after falling victim to a coward punch assault in the CBD in August 2012, Mr Lindsley was only just clinging to life.
Against the odds, he pulled through.
Yesterday, fighting back tears, he had little trouble saying “I do” as he married the love of his life, Sarah Lake, at Bowden.
The ceremony, in front of an intimate gathering of family and friends, marked an incredible milestone for the couple and was a fitting celebration of a love story that started more than 11 years ago and has endured, and overcome, unimaginable horror.
“It means a lot to us — having this second chance,” said Mr Lindsley, 29, who was wearing bright yellow custom-made Nike sneakers with the wedding date etched on the heels for the special day.
For Ms Lake, also 29, who walked down the aisle on the arm of her dad Peter, it was a day she feared would never come after the attack.
“We feel very lucky that we even get the chance to get married and to have Jason in good health is a bonus,” she said.
“There were many days where it was a possibility it would never happen.
“I remember days where we were just hoping he would survive, let alone thinking about if we would get any chance at a future. And when he did pull through, there was the fear of not knowing what effect the brain injury would have.
“I count my lucky stars that I got to walk down the aisle and marry Jason.”
Mr Lindsley’s mum, Sue, choked back tears as she spoke of her pride in her eldest child and only son.
“Today is incredibly emotional and has brought all the memories and heartache of that night back, not knowing if he’d come through ... he has come so far and we are so proud of him, so extremely proud,” she said.
For dad Doug, the celebration provided closure.
“He was king hit and almost died but he survived and today marks a whole new chapter of his life. He and Sarah have nothing to do but look forward to a bright new future together,” he said.
The couple now dreams of starting a family and building a sustainable home together.
There were resounding cheers of delight as the couple became husband and wife.
Mates rushed to pat Mr Lindsley on the back as he responded, “Thanks Buddy, thanks Bro”. One called out: “$2 for a tissue!”
The couple opted to get married without a bridal party, Mr Lindsley explaining the couple wanted to keep it “simple and easy, and just have all our mates around us’’.
Mr Lindsley spent a fortnight in an induced coma after the assault at city nightclub Zhivago left him with a critical brain injury.
He underwent three separate surgeries to relieve pressure on his brain and, when he regained consciousness, spent several months in intensive rehabilitation at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre.
In February 2015, Ali Joubouri was sentenced to five years’ jail with a two-year non-parole period after pleading guilty to recklessly causing serious harm over the attack.
Mr Lindsley returned to work at Holden 10 months after the attack and moved to Wolf Blass winery two years ago, where he has since become a back-up team leader.
While his recovery has been remarkable, he is still faced with frequent reminders of his injuries.
“I’ve progressed as far as I can with recovery but still suffer from fatigue which causes headaches and slurred speech at times. I never regained my sense of smell,” Mr Lindsley said.
Ms Lake has been by his side throughout.
They were engaged in July 2014 in what Ms Lake described as a “very romantic” proposal on the jetty of her favourite beach at Brighton, her beau on bended knee.
Now, the Brahma Lodge couple are simply looking to continue their love story as husband and wife, with the devotion that helped them conquer adversity.
“We are looking forward to hopefully moving into a new house and having children,” Mr Lindsley said. “Regardless wherever life takes us, we hope we can continue to love and support each other.”
