The longest time spent in hospital by a major trauma patient.

18 months in hospital.

Scared, grieving and depressed.

I’m Lucie, 22, and my life was changed forever in a horrific accident.

So many people have helped with my recovery, but I’d like to tell you all about Day One Trauma Support. I feel like they saved my life.

Day One were one of the constants in my recovery.

Their caseworker provided emotional support that busy NHS staff just didn’t have the time to give.

They also advised me about benefits and welfare support. I had no idea how I was going to live and

pay for things outside of hospital if I wasn’t working. It was a massive relief to get help, as I wouldn’t

have known where to start.

Let me take you back to the accident and day one of my story.

It was a cold, dark winter’s evening. My mum was driving me back home from work when the car started making funny noises and filled with horrible black smoke.

We pulled over on a country lane and I got out. I went to the driver’s side to help. I saw bright headlights coming towards me. That’s when I was hit by a tractor and dragged under its 10-tonne trailer.

I got caught under the back wheels and dragged along the road. The tractor never stopped. My body did.

I told my parents how much I loved them. I accepted I was probably going to die. Surely nobody survives what I’d just been through?

When I arrived at Leeds Major Trauma Centre they put me to sleep. My mum and dad were only allowed to visit me on my third day to say ‘goodbye’ as the internal bleeding was so severe they feared I wouldn’t make it.

I woke up a month later in the intensive care unit. I could see my mum at the foot of my bed and my dad was stroking my hair. I couldn’t talk. I struggled to breath. I was in so much pain.

I had no idea about the severity of my injuries. It was a few days before they told me I had no right leg. They had to amputate. The right side of my pelvis was gone too and I had open wounds. I had a lot of internal damage. A lot of my internal organs no longer worked.

I spent 18 months in hospital – the longest time spent by a major trauma patient. It was a record I didn’t want.

I was scared. Often depressed. I grieved for my old body.

It’s been a long road of recovery.

Being in a wheelchair can be so frustrating.

The specialist rehab I’ve received has helped and I’ve learned to be independent again.

At times it’s been difficult adjusting to my new life.

I’ve discovered so many cool things because of my disability. I want to try seated archery.

My friends have learned lots about disabilities too. I had never known anyone who had been through anything like what I had.

Every obstacle I overcame, I felt immensely proud of myself.

To start, I was doing it for my family as they had stood by me. But I soon realised that wasn’t enough. I had to do this for myself. It was a massive moment for me.

Yes, something horrible happened to me, but I like the person I’ve become more than the person I was before the accident.

I have strength I never knew I had.

I’ve gained my independence.

If I’ve got through this, I can get through anything.

I’m so grateful that Day One was there for me and my family.

Someone to listen.

Someone for my mum to offload to.

They even gave me a present. They helped me realise I would enjoy life again.

I would encourage you to support Day One l so they can help people like me in the future.

With hugs, love and best wishes,

🤗💕

Lucie

PS Knowing there are people who care, who wish you and want you to recover means the world. Leaving a message of hope really does mean something to someone like me recovering from a life changing injury.