DOZ Inspirational Biography
Mercy James
he words “never and impossible” are real,
and our acceptance or rejection of them will
determine their impact on our lives. Janine
Shepherd proved this truth more than three
decades ago when her life was written off following
an accident which left her in a seemingly hopeless
condition.
Janine was only a child when she became an
athlete, and by the time she was ten years old, she
was an athletic champion and had won several
national titles. She decided to settle for cross-
country skiing among
several other sports with
the hope of making her
country proud someday.
All went well until
1986 when she became
a victim of a terrible
accident that robbed
her of her dreams
and handed her a life-
threatening health
condition. She was
knocked down by a
truck during a training
bike ride and at a time
when she was hopeful of
winning Australia’s first-
ever medal at the Winter
Olympics.
Her neck and back were broken. Her abdominal
area suffered severe lacerations. Her collarbone
and five ribs were fractured, her right leg was
ripped open, and she suffered severe internal
injuries and bleeding. She lost five liters of blood!
It was, indeed, a hopeless situation. She could only
pray to God to spare her life.
After a series of treatments, the doctors confirmed
she would never walk again or have a child of her
own. It was like reducing a hero to zero right before
her eyes. Nevertheless, Janine refused to give in
DOZ Magazine | October 2019
to the conclusion of the doctors and the verdict of
life itself. She pushed through, defied all the reality
staring at her in the face by becoming more than
she thought she could become.
The Australian beauty became known not just
as a former athlete, and an aerobatic pilot but
also as an author and motivational speaker that
is transforming people’s lives with her story. She
was a woman with no hope who fought her way
through to become the focus of her nation.
Her journey into the aviation world was inspired by
the beautiful sight of small
planes flying overhead. She
decided within herself to fly
if she couldn’t walk, and in
the end, she did both. She
walked, and she did fly. She
became a licensed private
pilot within a year of the
accident. She also proceeded
to obtain a commercial
license before getting an
instructor’s permit. Indeed,
if you believe, you can fly.
I wasn’t meant to live.
I wasn’t meant to walk.
I wasn’t meant to have
children.
I wasn’t meant to fly!
I love turning the impossible
into the I’ m-possible!
What about you? Have you been told, “You’ll never
do that?”
Never allow others to set the limits. You have all you
need to soar!
These are famous words of Janine Shepherd, who is
now a mother of three beautiful children.
You have no limits. Don’t create one for yourself.
Reach out to the world and do what they called
impossible. You are a woman. You are a blessing to
the world.
12
T
JANINE
SHEPHERD