People's Choice Award: Jason Barrell

Whangarei's Jason Barrell has faced more challenges than many of us. Dyslexia, a broken neck, the loss of a promising rugby career, a tumour that took him close to death, facial paralysis, brain surgery, the loss of a second career, fatigue, depression, stage fright...but he survived it all.

Barrell has come out the other side as an inspiration to others, who urges people to make the most of their short lives while they are fit and able.

Barrell struggled at school, not knowing he was dyslexic, before he headed into horticulture.

Playing rugby was no struggle for Barrell however, who experienced a successful career. The burly prop represented Northland and Auckland, along with Super 12 rugby for the Waikato Chiefs and the Auckland Blues, as well as a stint in Wales.

But things went tragically wrong for Barrell when he was playing a pre-season NPC game for Auckland, against Northland in 1999. Barrell's professional rugby career with the Blues was cut short by an injury known as a hangman's fracture when he was just 29-years-old.

He was about to pull out of a scrum when he felt pain. Not realising the extent of the injury, he wandered off the field with every intention of going back on.

But when he sat down he could not move his head.

His worst nightmare unfolded - doctors discovered that he had snapped his odontoid peg, the bone which holds the head to the vertebrae.

Lucky to be alive, the doctors told Barrell it was not the sort of neck injury where you lose feeling in your limbs, but you either live or die, Barrell relayed.

Barrell had to wear a head and neck brace anchored to his skull by screws for three months and after a tough rehabilitation programme, Barrell opted for a career with the police. It was during a training course before sitting police entrance exams that he discovered he was dyslexic.

It was hard work but Jason bought a ticket into the police passing the exam by one mark. He graduated from police college, finishing 12th out of a wing of 70 recruits.

But not long after donning the blue uniform, Jason noticed numbness in his face. Scans revealed bleeding in the brain which required surgery. A four-hour operation turned into a nine-hour horror wait for family and friends in hospital hallways.

The operation removed the bleeding but left Barrell unable to walk, eat and without feeling on the right side of his face. With the help of family, friends, his two children and wife Sue, Barrell was back up on his feet and running.

But the near-death illness made him reflect.

"When I was told I was going to die, I looked back on my life and I was annoyed I had sold myself short with dyslexia.

"Now with another chance I have chosen to step outside my comfort zone and changes are easy to make. I don't want to get to the end and have any regrets."

These days Barrell is a motivational speaker, urging people "not to wait until life strikes you down" before making the most of life.

"We all have challenges. It's our minds that can can be our biggest disability," he said.

To vote, email sports@northernadvocate.co.nz or text NAD and the initials of your nomination to 021 241 4568.

Voting closes on November 25.

The winner will be announced on Friday, December 2.

* He has also written a book with author Elaine Weber McGough called Try, Try Again, which journeys through Barrell's struggles and his uplifting story of how he overcame the challenges he faced.