Jade McAlear’s sheer power of determination after horrific car crash

After spending four months in a coma last year, Australian Catholic University student Jade McAlear managed to leave her wheelchair and walk on stage at her graduation ceremony.

After spending months in a coma following a horrific accident last year, Jade McAlear has graduated university. Picture: Mark Stewart

When Jade McAlear left her wheelchair to walk on stage at her graduation ceremony on Tuesday, it was “a dream come true”.

The gutsy 24-year-old missed her graduation for her bachelor of occupational therapy last year because she was in a coma for four months with a severe brain injury from a horrific car crash.

Ms McAlear was supported by her sisters Tyla and Shai to walk on stage to receive her degree at a private graduation ceremony at Australian Catholic University, where the three McAlear sisters and their mum studied.

“Oh my god, I feel honoured,” Ms McAlear said afterwards. “It was spectacular.”

Jade McAlear’s sisters Tyla (in green) and Shai (in orange) assist her to walk on stage to receive her degree from ACU Faculty of Health Sciences Deputy Dean Professor Justin Kemp.

Jade McAlear is supported by her sisters after her graduation ceremony.

Jade McAlear and her family.

Ms McAlear has gone from studying occupational therapy (OT) then working as an OT to now being a patient treated by OTs.

She has an astonishing 22 appointments a week, including OTs, a physiotherapist, osteopath, speech pathologist, psychologist and even a singer, who helps her speech.

Before the accident, Ms McAlear had the world at her feet with a lively social life and a blossoming career after graduating from Australian Catholic University.

And she had just landed her dream job – as a hand OT at the Austin Hospital.

But her life changed forever in a split second when, despite driving under the speed limit, her car spun out on a slippery road and was hit by another car.

In hospital, Ms McAlear’s parents, Karen and Zac, received the heart-wrenching news that their daughter had suffered a severe brain injury.

Jade with her parents Karen and Zac, and sisters Tyla and Shai. Picture: Mark Stewart

“They said the damage was done because the brain spun in her skull,” Mrs McAlear said.

Ms McAlear has no memory of the day of the accident.

“And I’m kind of glad I don’t remember anything about hospital,” she said.

“I’m just really happy with all my family and friends – I couldn’t do this without them.”

When hospital staff suggested a nursing home was the usual next stop for patients like Ms McAlear, her parents were adamant she was coming home.

“When we brought Jade home from hospital, she couldn’t even hold her head up,” Mrs McAlear said.

Jade suffered a severe brain injury after a horrific car crash. Picture: Supplied

When Jade returned home from hospital she couldn’t hold her head up. Picture: Supplied

“Now she’s standing up, giving people hugs, walking with assistance.

“Every specialist we see can’t believe how well Jade’s done.”

Mrs McAlear said the Hurstbridge family’s lives “have completely stopped”.

“We live and breathe Jade from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until we go to bed,” she said.

“But the benefit is that Jade’s amazing – she is positive, she’s good-humoured, she’s motivated, she’s determined.”

And Ms McAlear is adamant she will walk unassisted again.

“I like to prove people wrong and exceed their expectations,” Ms McAlear said.

One of her teachers at ACU was speech pathologist Danielle Czapnik, who remembers her student as “incredibly bubbly, engaged and very entertaining with this big personality”.

Jade with her speech pathologist Danielle Czapnik. Picture: Mark Stewart

By coincidence, Ms Czapnik worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital when Ms McAlear arrived after the accident, and has since become a key part of her treating team.

“I’m privileged to be able to talk (with her) about what her life looked like before her accident,” she said.

“She might be in a wheelchair and have some problems such as memory but she’s still the same person – she’s still amazingly upbeat and positive and lights up a room when she enters it.”

Ms McAlear hopes to one day enjoy the simple pleasure of a beer with family or friends – but has a deal with her dad that she will learn to walk first.

“I’ve got to be able to walk to the fridge and get it myself!” she said.

And she hopes down the track to help others by sharing her experience.

“I want to get the message across that when the hospital says, ‘No, you can’t do it,’ just think, ‘You can frigging do it!’” she said.

To follow Ms McAlear’s journey or support her road to recovery, visit instagram.com/journeyofjade/