In a split second on a motocross track, life as she knew it changed entirely for Casey Brady. But what followed is a story of true Kiwi grit –overcoming the odds, finding new purpose, creating a supportive community and, most important of all, becoming a mum.
It was during a practice run before a motocross event in June 2017 that Casey’s world turned upside down. The active Te Puke farm girl and preschool teacher took a jump too slow, flew over the handlebars, landed on her head and broke her back. The resulting spinal cord injury left her paralysed from the chest down, with the prospect of spending her life in a wheelchair.
It was not the future Casey, 31, had anticipated. From the get-go, she has refused to let her injury define her. Over the past seven years, she has shown unstoppable determination to reclaim as much of her old life and independence as possible.
“I remember those early days in the hospital,” Casey shares. “I couldn’t sit up without fainting and had no feeling. The doctors said I would never walk again, but I couldn’t accept that.”
From that moment, Casey has dedicated herself to an intensive rehabilitation programme to regain as much function as possible. She spends over three hours most days working tirelessly with trainers, undergoing cutting-edge physiotherapy and electrical stimulation therapy. She also utilises innovative treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and even stem cell therapy.
“It’s been a slow journey, but I’m seeing progress, especially over the past year,” she reveals. “I’ve regained some sensation in my hip area and even started to feel flickers of movement in my legs. The stem cell therapy I had in America a couple of months ago is not a golden ticket, but it can boost the intensive rehab I do.
“I’m going extra-hard at the moment and starting to see more positive changes.”
Casey has bravely shared her story on social media, inspiring people from all over the world with her posts. They provide a glimpse into what it’s like to live with a disability and show her amazing progress, which includes standing and walking with various aids, plus the help of her trainer.
“Most days, I get hundreds of messages and although I can’t reply to them all, it makes me feel good knowing I can help people a tiny bit,” she says.
Casey’s passion for helping others was fuelled during the early days of her rehabilitation, when she discovered a lack of resources available for people in similar situations. This led to her studying to become a personal trainer and teaming up with her own trainer to buy the New Zealand franchise of NextStep, a US gym specialising in helping people with disabilities to regain mobility and function.
“People don’t come to our gym to look hot – they come to better their lives,” smiles Casey. “We have an amazing community of people who come to us with all sorts of conditions. From multiple sclerosis, to strokes and spinal cord injuries. It’s so cool to see them gain back things that have been taken away from them.”
Rather than focus on the negatives of her situation, Casey is relentlessly optimistic. She’s grateful for all the things she can do.
“I have bad days like everyone, but I’ve found that if you’re genuinely positive and happy, people are definitely more motivated to help you,” she explains. “I’ve got amazing support and people treat me normally, so that makes it easier too.”
Casey’s number-one supporter is her builder husband Mitch, 32. The couple married in 2021 at their Bay of Plenty lifestyle block. They have been together since they were 18 and travelled extensively around Europe before her accident.
“Life has changed, but Mitch and I make it as normal as we can,” she tells. “I’m very independent. It just takes me a bit longer than other people to do things.”
When Woman’s Day chats with Casey, the couple are excitedly awaiting news set to change their lives in another dramatic way. After a three- year journey with IVF and a surrogate, their baby girl is due to arrive any day.
“We’re both so pumped as we’ve always wanted a tribe of kids,” reveals Casey. “We have the most incredible surrogate, who is the sweetest human and has become a special friend.
“People ask me how I’m going to do everything, but I’m not worried at all. Everything will work out fine. We have heaps of support from family and friends, and the knitting crew at the gym is in full swing. Our wee girl is already so loved.”
As Casey continues to redefine her future, she would love to have more children and expand the NextStep network around New Zealand to help more people with disabilities.
“My dream is to one day take my children to the beach or go on adventures. I want to be able to do things with them with ease,” she enthuses. “This motivates me to keep going and put in all the hours of hard work I do.”
Watch Casey’s inspiring story of resilience on Unbreakable, 8.30pm Tuesday on TVNZ 1.
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