New Zealand's Jess Kerr refuses to let facial paralysis, diabetes crush her dreams
Women's T20 World Cup: Despite battling Bell's Palsy, Type 1 diabetes and career-ending running injuries, Jess Kerr refused to let adversity define her, forging a successful international cricket career with New Zealand.
If you are a fan of New Zealand women’s cricket, Amelia Kerr is one of the first names that comes to mind, and for good reason. From scoring a double century in ODIs at just 17 to becoming captain of the White Ferns, replacing Sophie Devine, she has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the sport.
While Amelia’s stature in cricket has continued to grow over the years, her elder sister, Jess Kerr, has faced significant health challenges that have affected both her physical and mental wellbeing.
Interestingly, cricket was not Jess’s first sporting passion, and she was more inclined towards running. At the age of 16, she was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome and Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome, conditions that brought her promising running career to an abrupt end and forced her to give up a lifelong dream.
‘RUNNING WAS MY GREATEST PASSION’
In a recent interview with her sister, Jess spoke candidly about having to shelve her greatest passion and adapt to a very different path.
"Going from being able to run for 90 minutes to feeling pain after just five or 10 minutes was a huge shift in my day-to-day life. Running was my greatest passion, and I wanted to take it as far as possible, so losing that ability was incredibly difficult,” Jess told.
“After undergoing tests for compartment syndrome, I had surgery, but it was unsuccessful. I was later diagnosed with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and underwent further treatment, including Botox injections in my calves.
“Even today, I struggle to run for more than 20 minutes. I've had to adapt significantly from the days when I could run every day with ease. Looking back, it's something I probably took for granted, but the experience taught me how to adjust, persevere and find new ways to pursue my goals,” Jess said.
‘IT FELT LIKE A JOKE’
At the age of nine, Jess Kerr was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes facial paralysis. Although doctors initially expected her to recover within six to 12 months, nearly two decades later she continues to live with its effects, including synkinesis, a condition in which facial nerves have regenerated incorrectly and trigger unintended muscle movements.
"I was out with a friend on my way to Tawa Goes to Town, a school music festival, when I noticed my face starting to tingle and droop. I also couldn't pronounce my B's and P's properly, which was quite ironic given that the condition is called Bell's Palsy,” Jess said.
“At first, it almost felt like a joke because I didn't understand how serious it was. The doctors told me it would likely go away within six to 12 months, so I always believed it was temporary. That mindset probably shaped how I dealt with it in the early stages, I kept thinking it would eventually disappear and life would return to normal,” Jess added.
‘I BURST INTO TEARS’
If that wasn’t enough, Jess was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She recalled being diagnosed after months of unexplained weight loss, fatigue and illness. What began as exhaustion, turned into a life-changing diagnosis, leaving her in tears as she struggled to process a lifelong condition.
"At 13, I was heavily involved in running while balancing school and living what felt like a pretty normal life. As the year went on, though, I started losing a significant amount of weight and constantly felt fatigued and unwell. I remember even telling Mum I had an earache just so I could take a day off school because I was so exhausted,” Jess said.
“We went to the local medical centre, and while there was nothing wrong with my ear, the doctors decided to run a few more tests. That's when they told me, 'You're a Type 1 diabetic. Cancel your plans for the week, you’re heading to hospital.'
“I remember bursting into tears. One of my friends at school had Type 1 diabetes, so I had some awareness of the condition, but there was still so much I didn't know or understand. The reality that it was a lifelong condition, something I would have to manage every day for the rest of my life, was difficult to process,” Jess added.
JESS KERR SET FOR WORLD CUP
Despite battling multiple health challenges throughout her life, Jess Kerr is now set to represent New Zealand at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Her journey is all the more remarkable considering she chose a career as a fast bowler despite the running-related issues that once threatened her sporting ambitions. So far, she has played 54 ODIs and 52 T20Is, claiming 107 international wickets, including two four-wicket hauls.
The White Ferns begin their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against the West Indies at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, June 13. Jess showed encouraging form in the warm-up matches, picking up key wickets against South Africa and underlining her importance to the side ahead of the tournament.
A member of New Zealand’s title-winning squad in 2024, Jess will once again be expected to play a crucial role as the White Ferns aim for another strong campaign.
While her younger sister Amelia Kerr has often grabbed the headlines, Jess has carved out her own inspiring story, one defined by resilience, determination and an unwavering commitment to chasing her dreams despite significant physical and mental challenges.
If you are a fan of New Zealand women’s cricket, Amelia Kerr is one of the first names that comes to mind, and for good reason. From scoring a double century in ODIs at just 17 to becoming captain of the White Ferns, replacing Sophie Devine, she has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the sport.
While Amelia’s stature in cricket has continued to grow over the years, her elder sister, Jess Kerr, has faced significant health challenges that have affected both her physical and mental wellbeing.
Interestingly, cricket was not Jess’s first sporting passion, and she was more inclined towards running. At the age of 16, she was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome and Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome, conditions that brought her promising running career to an abrupt end and forced her to give up a lifelong dream.
‘RUNNING WAS MY GREATEST PASSION’
In a recent interview with her sister, Jess spoke candidly about having to shelve her greatest passion and adapt to a very different path.
"Going from being able to run for 90 minutes to feeling pain after just five or 10 minutes was a huge shift in my day-to-day life. Running was my greatest passion, and I wanted to take it as far as possible, so losing that ability was incredibly difficult,” Jess told.
“After undergoing tests for compartment syndrome, I had surgery, but it was unsuccessful. I was later diagnosed with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and underwent further treatment, including Botox injections in my calves.
“Even today, I struggle to run for more than 20 minutes. I've had to adapt significantly from the days when I could run every day with ease. Looking back, it's something I probably took for granted, but the experience taught me how to adjust, persevere and find new ways to pursue my goals,” Jess said.
‘IT FELT LIKE A JOKE’
At the age of nine, Jess Kerr was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes facial paralysis. Although doctors initially expected her to recover within six to 12 months, nearly two decades later she continues to live with its effects, including synkinesis, a condition in which facial nerves have regenerated incorrectly and trigger unintended muscle movements.
"I was out with a friend on my way to Tawa Goes to Town, a school music festival, when I noticed my face starting to tingle and droop. I also couldn't pronounce my B's and P's properly, which was quite ironic given that the condition is called Bell's Palsy,” Jess said.
“At first, it almost felt like a joke because I didn't understand how serious it was. The doctors told me it would likely go away within six to 12 months, so I always believed it was temporary. That mindset probably shaped how I dealt with it in the early stages, I kept thinking it would eventually disappear and life would return to normal,” Jess added.
‘I BURST INTO TEARS’
If that wasn’t enough, Jess was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She recalled being diagnosed after months of unexplained weight loss, fatigue and illness. What began as exhaustion, turned into a life-changing diagnosis, leaving her in tears as she struggled to process a lifelong condition.
"At 13, I was heavily involved in running while balancing school and living what felt like a pretty normal life. As the year went on, though, I started losing a significant amount of weight and constantly felt fatigued and unwell. I remember even telling Mum I had an earache just so I could take a day off school because I was so exhausted,” Jess said.
“We went to the local medical centre, and while there was nothing wrong with my ear, the doctors decided to run a few more tests. That's when they told me, 'You're a Type 1 diabetic. Cancel your plans for the week, you’re heading to hospital.'
“I remember bursting into tears. One of my friends at school had Type 1 diabetes, so I had some awareness of the condition, but there was still so much I didn't know or understand. The reality that it was a lifelong condition, something I would have to manage every day for the rest of my life, was difficult to process,” Jess added.
JESS KERR SET FOR WORLD CUP
Despite battling multiple health challenges throughout her life, Jess Kerr is now set to represent New Zealand at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Her journey is all the more remarkable considering she chose a career as a fast bowler despite the running-related issues that once threatened her sporting ambitions. So far, she has played 54 ODIs and 52 T20Is, claiming 107 international wickets, including two four-wicket hauls.
The White Ferns begin their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against the West Indies at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, June 13. Jess showed encouraging form in the warm-up matches, picking up key wickets against South Africa and underlining her importance to the side ahead of the tournament.
A member of New Zealand’s title-winning squad in 2024, Jess will once again be expected to play a crucial role as the White Ferns aim for another strong campaign.
While her younger sister Amelia Kerr has often grabbed the headlines, Jess has carved out her own inspiring story, one defined by resilience, determination and an unwavering commitment to chasing her dreams despite significant physical and mental challenges.
