SNN_December 2022 Issue_web low res

SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 15
Book Review—Owning It
Brad Smeele’s autobiography
—Peter Thornton
Brad’s journey to find hope
after such trauma is an
inspirational read, one we
can all benefit from.
And if he was going to tell that side of his story in such an
uncensored fashion, then he was going to be just as open
about his life before the accident.
IMPRESSIVE: Brad’s autobiography has
received great reviews across Aotearoa.
Has there ever been a book this honest and
raw published in New Zealand? I’m not sure.
It’s obviously hard to say definitively but
quadriplegic Brad Smeele’s first published
book Owning It—The Ride that Changed my
Life, is nothing short of explosive.
As a professional wakeboarder, the 35-year-old Auckland
born-and-raised lad was known for pushing the
boundaries of what is possible in his sport. He always
wanted to make a statement and he has carried that same
mindset into his autobiography.
Owning It will grab your attention and you’ll find it hard
to put down.
Brad is the first to admit that he’s not an academic. He
didn’t enjoy school and he found this task a real test. In
his own words: “It’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken
on. And the most effort I have ever put into something
that I didn’t really enjoy. It was a grind, it was a struggle
and an absolute battle.”
As a quadriplegic, overcoming the physical challenge of
writing a book was impressive in itself.
He wrote 500,000 words over a seven-year period. Brad
toiled away writing most of the 500-page book by holding a
mouthstick stylus and pointing it at letters on a screen.
That showed incredible dedication and patience.
But there is also real quality in how he has put this book
together. Brad wanted to paint a real picture of what
living life with a spinal cord impairment is really like.
One of the superstars of his sport, Brad lived an
out-of-control life of drugs, drinking, an endless line of
women and finding as much trouble as he possibly could.
At times it feels like you are witnessing the mates of a
larrikin deliver a haphazard speech at a 21st birthday
party, such is the level of detail in the partying and the
sex. But Brad felt—to be true to himself—if he was going
to be honest about his life after his accident that same
lens needed to be applied to his whole life.
Then comes the accident. The life changing moment. You
go along with Brad on all of his nights out and
ground-breaking success on the water, and then BAM!
Even though you know it’s coming, the crash hits you like
a punch in the guts. It made me stop and put the book
down. That moment is so brutal and the hard times that
follow are nothing short of heart-breaking.
There were many times when I got emotional in the latter
half of the book. You can feel the pain, the agony and the
complete devastation.
Brad says writing this book helped him find peace with
his injury. His level of honesty will help others reflect on
their own hardship or adversity, and find their own peace,
I am sure.
As they say time is the great healer. Brad has reached a
place where he can be positive again.
His optimism and outlook on life is infectious and he pays
a lovely tribute to his family and friends and one person
in particular (Susie), who helped him change his
perspective.
Brad’s journey to find hope after such trauma is an
inspirational read, one we can all benefit from.
Brad’s book Owning It is available at the NZ Spinal Trust
Resource Centre.