BAKE OFF STAR TENIQUA 'MY SISTER'S A WALKING MIRACLE'

Told she would be in a wheelchair forever, Tirama has defied the odds and now hopes to start a business with her talented sister

When Kiwi baking star Teniqua Jones last caught up with Woman's Day, she appeared to have the world at her feet, having emerged from her traumatic upbringing to start building a business, raise a family and showcase her skills on The Great Kiwi Bake Off.

But behind the scenes, the 31-year-old contestant was terrified for 20-year-old sister Tirama Walker, who was left paralysed and told she'd never walk again after drink-driving weeks before Teniqua's television debut.

"When the premiere was coming up, I was embarrassed about being eliminated second, but then I went, 'There's worse things in my life. Who cares?"" reflects Teniqua.

Nineteen months on, Teniqua describes Tirama as a "walking miracle". However, her recovery's far from over and a daily reminder of the dangers of drink-driving.

Tirama had around six drinks at a friend's place before deciding to drive home on Father's Day 2021. She has no memory of her car hitting a corner, flipping and slamming against a tree, but woke six hours later in hospital with a severed spine and unable to move her legs. Her mum Desileeanne was by her side.

"She was saying, 'You're gonna be fine, but when she saw what the car looked like, she went, 'Whoa! How did you get out alive?"" recalls Tirama.

Surgeons operated on a C7/T1 fracture dislocation, before informing her she was paralysed from the chest down.

"My surgeon said, 'You're not going to walk again," shares Tirama. "My first thought was he was lying or doubting me because people have always doubted me. I thought, 'No, I'm gonna walk." Teniqua was devastated hearing about the accident.