Super 12 rugby player and police officer Jason Barrell had both careers ended through life threatening events. His story- The Curved Ball is not about what happened but what he did about it. A highly inspirational presentation, laced with humour.

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Jason Barrell amazing story was featured on TV2's 20/20 on Thursday September 29, 2005. Born and bred in rural Whangarei in 1969, Jason struggled through school and spent all his spare time on the rugby paddock. Jason’s difficulty at school has since been put down to dyslexia, but he beat the odds of being a school drop out and went on to establish his own successful business.

His prowess on the rugby field lead to his selection first in Northland provincial teams, then the Chiefs and Blues Super 12 teams, and the Auckland NPC team.

A freak accident on the rugby field resulted in a broken neck and the end of a professional rugby career. After a rehabilitation process of 6 months Jason decided to embark on a career in the police. Coping with the physical and mental challenges was demanding, but Jason dealt with all that was required, and graduated from the Royal New Zealand Police College as a constable.

Life was back on track, but there was more to come. After a series of unexplained symptoms, an MRI scan revealed a brain tumor. Jason was initially told that the tumor was inoperable due to its location, and that it would cause his death. After reconsideration, surgery was offered and taken up by Jason.

Jason survived the major surgery, and still faced a number of challenges such as learning to walk again.

It is an amazing story, but what makes it so inspirational is how Jason has dealt with those challenges. He teaches us that in all of us there is the capacity for greatness. The only disability is in our attitude.