Robert Trathen
Just two years ago, Tall Ferns shooter Mary Morton-Jones was told she might never play again after a car accident left the basketballer in a coma with a traumatic brain injury. Having to re-learn how to swallow, talk and walk, the outstanding athlete has defied the odds and is back on court playing in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League.
Her comeback began when she started playing for the East Perth Eagles just 10 months after the horrific car accident.
“As my husband points out, I came back so soon and so well because I was so motivated,” says Mary.
“We didn’t know if there would be more damage done by sitting around doing nothing. “But it was really, really hard in Perth – we discovered it was very difficult managing a brain injury.”
The 29-year-old battled fatigue and headaches, and was often triggered by sensory overload. She vividly remembers the constant mental battle and the lingering after-effects of her crash. She wore earplugs to play and couldn’t socialise with the team, needing naps after trainings and games.
A private struggle
“No one saw what it did to me after a game, except my husband,” she admits.
“I didn’t tell anyone else and it was very lonely. But I’m very proud I did it.”
Yet her tenacity, love of the game and the support of hubby Chris Morton-Jones is what has seen Mary through. Known as Mary Goulding before her “perfect wedding” to Chris in April in her Canterbury hometown of Rangiora, Mary says their nuptials were the best day of her life.
A perfect wedding amid recovery
“They say you can never have a perfect wedding, but we were the exception to the rule,” she enthuses.
“It was like being in a movie – the light pouring through the windows was stunning and I felt like a princess. “I cried five times during the ceremony, but Chris just beamed the whole time. The only time he choked up was during his speech, talking about my accident and stuff.”
Chris and Mary had only been dating for seven weeks before the accident, which happened not far from her home. But he has remained by her side through her recovery and return to the court. While Mary confesses she’s not yet back to where she was before the accident, she’s doing “much better”.
Balancing life, sleep and basketball
She reveals, “I can be surrounded by people talking now, but a game is another level. I still need to wear earplugs when I play. The other thing I really need is sleep. Athletes need sleep, so I’m really good at doing what I’m told! I can’t function without nine or 10 hours a night. “My headaches are normally brought on by an overload in stimulation, so I know I just have to remove myself from the situation.”
Now a qualified primary school teacher, Mary’s relief-teaching through the Tauihi season, but is planning a full-time role next year – when she’d also like to start a family. She’s thankful Chris’ support has meant she’s continuing to play basketball, despite almost giving it up earlier this year.
Chris’s big sacrifice
Mary recalls, “Chris said, ‘No, I want you to have at least one more season.’ He said we’d make it happen together. Then he made a huge sacrifice for us so I could keep playing.”
Leaving his job with the New Zealand Air Force in Auckland after their Thailand honeymoon, the couple moved to Australia for four months.
“He was willing to move so I could play basketball because we know I can’t do that for the rest of my life,” she shares.
“He didn’t want me feeling guilty – he said he chose to do it because he wanted to do it for us.”
A dream reignited
It was while suiting up for the Queensland team, the Rockhampton Cyclone,s that Mary realised how lucky she was she didn’t give up on her dream.
“It was special,” she reflects.
“People would come up to me and say, ‘I remember you from six years ago. You’re one of my favourite players,’ or, ‘So good to see you back home – we’ve missed you’. It was the best decision to go there.”
Back home with BNZ Kāhu
Now the newlyweds are back living in Auckland, with Mary returning for a second season with BNZ Kāhu.
“I love this team,” she grins.
“They gave me an opportunity last year after I said I was done with basketball.”
The BNZ Kāhu play the Southern Hoiho at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland at 3pm on Sunday, screening live on Sky Sport. For info, visit kahu.basketball.
