Book review – “Undamaged” by Jenny Bovard

The vicissitudes of life are as boundless as they are unpredictable. When all is well with the world, disaster can lurk just a heartbeat away, striking when least expected, turning lives upside down, and robbing those affected of any return to normality.

“Undamaged” records the traumatic impact of a debilitating spinal injury suffered by young Ben Kende when playing for a Hong Kong representative team in the Asia Under 19 Rugby Championships in Bangkok in 2010.

^{Ben with Assistant Dog “Gumnut”}

At such a young age, Ben suddenly found himself confronting the unimaginable horror of his situation, and the endless surgery, hospitalisation and treatment that followed, while family and friends were quickly consumed by the ripple effects such a cruel fate created.

^{Ben in Sydney}

But “Undamaged” is essentially a story of redemption, detailing a young man’s refusal to let great misfortune dictate who he is and what he can do. Instead, Ben learns to live within his limitations while exceeding even the wildest expectations.

^{Ben with family after admission as a lawyer with the New South Wales Supreme Court}

This is an inspiring story of courage in the face of the gravest adversity, and a testament to the all the support and encouragement he has enjoyed from family and friends along the way.

About the author: Jennifer Bovard was born and raised in Sydney. She attended the Presbyterian Ladies College where she was the school magazine editor. At Macquarie University she completed a degree in Psychology and English and years later, when her youngest started school, she embarked on a Masters degree in Business Psychology.

Now an academic and trained organizational psychologist, Jenny lectures in her field in Hong Kong and is an advocate for spinal research. She has three children, Natasha the eldest who lives in London with her two babies, Ben based in Sydney and Isabella in Melbourne. All three were born and raised in Hong Kong, where they attended Island School and enjoyed an all rounded education and made long lasting friendships. Island School (and the Ben Kende Spinal Research Foundation) have since created Ben Kende awards for sporting excellence and courage.

Jenny cannot imagine leaving Hong Kong, having lived here more than thirty years. She thinks she might be the last to turn out the lights.

“Undamaged” will be in Hong Kong bookshops in early December 2021.

Undamaged, by Jenny Bovard, Sherriff Books HK. ISBN 978-988-14532-4-2

Michael Kelly lives in Sydney, Australia and is a former Sai Kung resident

Note from the publisher:  the publication was pro bono, the printing costs were covered by private donations and all proceeds from the sale of the book and other donations will go to the Ben Kende Spinal Research Foundation: www.benkende.com