When Kiwi baking star Teniqua Jones last caught up with Woman’s Day, she appeared to have the world at her feet, having emerged from her traumatic upbringing to start building a business, raise a family and showcase her skills on The Great Kiwi Bake Off.
But behind the scenes, the 31-year-old contestant was terrified for 20-year-old sister Tirama Walker, who was left paralysed and told she’d never walk again after drink-driving weeks before Teniqua’s television debut.
“When the premiere was coming up, I was embarrassed about being eliminated second, but then I went, ‘There’s worse things in my life. Who cares?'” reflects Teniqua.
Nineteen months on, Teniqua describes Tirama as a “walking miracle”. However, her recovery’s far from over and a daily reminder of the dangers of drink-driving.
Tirama had around six drinks at a friend’s place before deciding to drive home on Father’s Day 2021. She has no memory of her car hitting a corner, flipping and slamming against a tree, but woke six hours later in hospital with a severed spine and unable to move her legs. Her mum Desileeanne was by her side.
Tirama’s car at the scene of the crash.
“She was saying, ‘You’re gonna be fine’, but when she saw what the car looked like, she went, ‘Whoa! How did you get out alive?'” recalls Tirama.
Surgeons operated on a C7/T1 fracture dislocation, before informing her she was paralysed from the chest down.
“My surgeon said, ‘You’re not going to walk again,'” shares Tirama. “My first thought was he was lying or doubting me because people have always doubted me. I thought, ‘No, I’m gonna walk.'”
Being visited by Teniqua in hospital.
Teniqua was devastated hearing about the accident.
“I thought, ‘Gosh, she could be in a wheelchair forever’. I can’t imagine how hard that would be at 19.”
After transferring to Christchurch’s Burwood Spinal Unit, Tirama defied the odds and began wiggling her big toe two weeks after the crash. “We were so excited by that one tiny movement!” tells Teniqua.
Doctors still believed she wouldn’t walk again, yet another three weeks later, determined Tirama took her first steps.
“I thought, ‘Yes! I knew I’d get here.’ And my mum was so emotional. She knew how positive I’d been and realised that contributed to me walking again.”
Back on her feet with her mum.
Through rehab and hydrotherapy, Tirama – who had been studying for a certificate in beauty therapy – regained further mobility and was thrilled the day she was allowed out for some retail therapy.
“Makeup made me feel good about myself in hospital. I couldn’t wait to get my lashes done! Mum had someone wash and straighten my hair. All that made me feel more normal and happy.”
Discharged after two months, Tirama returned to Hamilton, where she has continued her rehabilitation. Teniqua was appointed her kaiāwhina (home support worker) 31 hours per week and helped her through setbacks, such as her blood pressure dropping if she was up for too long.
“Our first trip to the supermarket, she crouched every two minutes because she felt faint,” says Teniqua.
Once an avid basketballer, Tirama now struggles to comfortably walk more than 100 metres and uses a crutch due to a hyperextended (backwards-bending) knee, which she’s strengthening at the gym with Teniqua.
She uses a wheelchair for long distances, can’t feel temperature in her legs and remains partially paralysed, which can cause accidents. “I went to get my lashes done and peed my pants!”
While getting Botox in her bladder has helped, Tirama uses catheters and has to stimulate bowel movements, often needing Teniqua’s help. While she says it may sound “TMI” (too much information), it’s a harrowing window into how drink-driving can end.
Meanwhile, Teniqua took on fewer cake orders to support Tirama while parenting her three children, La’Chaey, 12, Rico, nine, and Zeisha, seven, with husband Sam, 30.
Teniqua and Sam with their kids (from left) Rico, Zeisha and La’Chaey.
But amid the trying times, the kitchen whiz fulfilled two major ambitions – finding a bigger home and officially launching her business, Teniqua Kekery, thanks to a grant from government initiative The Generator.
“All I needed to register my kitchen was a bigger house and seed money. We found a house and the next day, The Generator helped me register. My life changed in two days!”
The Bake Off star’s sweet creations.
Teniqua’s now mentoring other budding entrepreneurs – including Tirama! Given how much makeup perked up Tirama in hospital, the sisters hope to launch a business offering pampering sessions to patients.
“Tirama could tell them her story and give them hope,” says Teniqua. “It’s amazing how having makeup in hospital can make you more positive.”
As she continues physical rehabilitation, Tirama has turned to rongoā (traditional Māori healing) to begin addressing mental turmoil, which likely contributed to her reckless drinking. While Teniqua previously told Woman’s Day how she turned her life around after growing up with domestic violence, it wasn’t until recent years that Tirama was exposed to their father’s outbursts.
“That was traumatising and depressing for her,” says Teniqua. “Her whole life was going downhill. She turned to drinking, which led to the crash.”
Continues Tirama, “Rongoā’s been the best thing mentally and made me think maybe I had to go through that accident to change. I was able to understand my trauma and hurt, and finally release it. I’m more open to talking and I’m doing better.”
“After one session, something was released and Tirama’s been so open with me since,” adds Teniqua, who when asked how she juggles three jobs, parenting and her own wellbeing, chuckles “everything
somehow squeezes in”.
While some might feel ashamed publicly confessing to drink-driving, Tirama hopes her story makes people think twice.
Teniqua is so proud of how her sister has turned her life around.
“I’m a physical representation of what drink-driving can do. My friends cried, saying, ‘We used to drink-drive, but this makes me think twice’. I hope everyone learns to put down the keys because it isn’t worth your life or others.
“I’m lucky I got a third chance – first I escaped the crash, then I came out of a spinal injury walking. Not everyone will.”
Adds Teniqua, “It’s truly a miracle!”
Help is here
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, phone Shine on 0508 744 633 or the Women’s Refuge crisis line on 0800 733 843. In an emergency, always dial 111 and press 55 if it’s not safe to talk.
