Timothy Lee in his wheelchair in the Rotorua Redwood Forest. Photo / Pam Vincent
A Rotorua pastor whose life changed forever after a devastating mountain bike crash has turned his journey of loss, faith and resilience into an autobiography.
Timothy Lee released his book Hopes, Fears and Wheelchairs in September, sharing the deeply personal story of how a split-second accident in the Redwoods left him living with tetraplegia — and how he rebuilt a life of purpose in the years that followed.
Lee’s life was irrevocably altered on May 31, 2010, while riding a mountain bike trail in the Redwood Forest. Attempting to clear a drop-off at speed near the end of a ride with a neighbour, he crashed heavily and sustained a catastrophic head injury.
He has no memory of the impact, but recalls waking moments later down a bank, unable to move.
“I immediately knew something serious had happened,” he said. “My helmet had split in two and the damage to my spinal cord meant my body lost about 92% of its functioning ability.”
The accident left him with tetraplegia and ended his active lifestyle overnight.
“It really changed everything. It had a huge impact on my family, my vocation, my world. I so very nearly lost my life,” he said.
Lee spent 40 days and nights in intensive care at Middlemore Hospital, the first 10 in an induced coma. The long journey of recovery that followed included months of rehabilitation and a gradual adjustment to a life requiring round-the-clock care.
Today, he has limited movement in one arm, just enough to operate his wheelchair, and requires assistance with most aspects of daily life.
“You take mobility for granted — until it’s gone,” he said.
At the time of the accident, Lee was the senior pastor at Rotorua Baptist Church. Despite the life-changing injuries, he has continued to serve both church and community in a wide range of roles.
Now an itinerant preacher with more than 25 years in Christian pastoral ministry, he lectures to Bible college students, mentors colleagues through professional supervision, and serves on the Rotorua Hospital chaplaincy team.
He also spends time supporting people who are newly adjusting to life in wheelchairs.
“I know first-hand what a struggle that transition can be,” he said. “If I can help someone navigate that journey, it’s a privilege.”
Lee is also deeply involved in the Rotorua community. He chairs the Rotorua Access Group, which works alongside Rotorua Lakes Council to improve accessibility in parks, streets and public facilities for people with limited mobility.
He chairs and volunteers with Sailability on Lake Rotorua, helping provide sailing opportunities for children with special needs, and works alongside community groups supporting people experiencing homelessness.
“It tears at my heart sometimes,” he said. “But journeying with people one-on-one is one of the greatest privileges in life.”
His autobiography grew out of encouragement from friends who believed his experiences could help others.
Becoming a published author was never something Lee had planned.
“I was talked into writing it,” he said with a laugh. “But eventually I realised there might be something worthwhile in sharing the story.”
Because his hands can no longer type, the book was dictated using voice-recognition software — technology he first encountered during rehabilitation at the spinal unit following his accident.
The result is a deeply personal account spread across 10 chapters, blending practical insights about life with a spinal injury alongside reflections on grief, faith and resilience.
In the book Lee recounts the trauma of the crash, the emotional toll on his family, and the slow process of adapting to a radically different life.
He also shares practical advice for others navigating disability systems, health care and rehabilitation, including his experiences with ACC.
“Producing the book was a slow process,” he said. “I’ve been thrust into this world where I need help with everything, so it took time.”
The project began taking shape in 2019, but progress was slowed by the Covid pandemic and the demands of his ongoing ministry and community work.
Despite the challenges, Lee said he hopes the book will encourage readers who are facing their own hardships.
“I didn’t want it to be academic,” he said. “I wanted it to be something ordinary people could read and relate to.”
Born in Pukekohe and raised with a strong rural heritage, Lee trained as a diesel mechanic before entering pastoral ministry. He describes himself simply as “an average Kiwi bloke”.
He and his wife Jenny have two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
More than a decade after the accident that changed his life, Lee says his motivation remains simple — investing in others’ wellbeing for as long as he has breath.
“Helping people is a core part of who I am,” he said.
“God’s kept me alive, and by His grace I will endeavour to make the best of each day.”
Above all, he hopes readers will take one message from his book.
“Whatever is going on in their lives,” he said, “there is always hope.”
Timothy Lee’s book Hopes, Fears and Wheelchairs, published by Castle Publishing is available at McLeods Booksellers and Atlantis Books.