Opinion: Tina Jennen an inspiration for all

Tina Jennen is an inspiration for all. Photo / George Novak

Every day we face challenges as we go about our lives - but just how big are our problems, really?

That question came to mind this week when I interviewed a remarkable woman.

In Tauranga and the Western Bay, many of us have been stressed out in traffic jams, have cursed the wind or the rain, have lamented the cost of housing, have stressed over the prices of goods and services relative to our incomes.

As serious as some of those problems might be, most of us are able to go about our daily lives with the freedom that comes from being in a relatively good state of health.

Spare a thought, then, for Tina Jennen.

On the afternoon of January 10, the 44-year-old business unit manager was driving from Katikati to Tauranga along State Highway 2 when her car and another vehicle collided head-on. Ms Jennen's Ford sedan crumpled around her, breaking all four of her limbs, and her life was saved only by the car's airbags and the actions of rescuers who extracted her from the wreck.

Stuck in a hospital bed, and barely able to move, many of us would have descended into sorrow and self-pity.

But that's not what Ms Jennen did.

She chose to take control of her situation.

Initially she could do little more than manage the amount of painkiller she administered to herself through a drug button she was able to press despite her broken arms.

Within two days she had weaned herself off this drug and was taking milder pills such as Nurofen and Panadol. Then she went to work on healing her extremities with hand therapy. After 10 days she was able to roll on her side to sleep.

She even met the injured driver of the other vehicle and formed with him a bond of mutual sympathy.

When I visited Ms Jennen in Tauranga Hospital on Sunday there was no sign of sorrow and there was no sign of self-pity. Instead, she radiated warmth and positivity.

There's a lesson there for all of us.