In 1977, aged just 15, Grant Sharman became the first patient in Auckland’s new Spinal Rehabilitation Unit. He was given 10 years to live. As it turned out, he spent the next 11 years in Room 104, Ward C.

“I spent the first two years, mostly falling asleep on the rehab mat or ‘upskilling’ the physio students.”

While his prognosis was wrong, two things prompted Grant to get up off that mat. One was external: ACC kicked into gear. Support was developed and improved. Home-based care was expanded. And they really, really needed the bed.

The second was internal: he found purpose. Through painting, sport, coaching, and mentoring others, he found the key to his motivation. He got off the mat and hasn’t looked back.

Perhaps surprisingly, 48 years after his injury, Grant feels more capable, more able than ever. “You adapt”, he says. “Sure, there are some frustrations, but there is so much technology and support out there now. And, most importantly, lots of incredible people who have supported me over many years. I’m doing more, I’m able to do more than I’ve ever done before. I like to be busy, and I like to make a difference. I have that, and so physically, I find workarounds and I adjust.

As for CatWalk, my ‘Road to Damascus’ came 10 years ago. I’d been invited to The Need for Speed gala. I ‘knew’ then that a cure was impossible. That spinal cells and brain cells, once gone, were gone for good. End of story.

But as I listened to the researchers talk, I realised I had it all wrong. They weren’t saying ‘if’ or ‘maybe’, they were saying ‘when’. Their knowledge that a cure would be found was rock-solid. And I realised I’d been backing the wrong horse.

Even back then, I knew that a ‘cure’ was never for me. My body was physically not in good enough condition to benefit; 40 years takes its toll. Plus, I’d found peace with where I was physically. You know, I’d figured it out, mostly, and I’m good to go. So, this was never about me. I have no skin in the game in terms of personal gain.

But the idea that I could be part of the team that finds a cure – wow, that’s intoxicating! I just want to have played a small part in something this big, this significant, this life-changing. I may have defeated the odds in the past, but this, I know, is a dead cert.

We will find a cure soon. I urge you to join me.”

Grant Sharman MNZM
Deputy Chair, CatWalk Board of Trustees
Chair, CatWalk Cure Programme

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