Saturday 8th December 2012

My first attempt at 'blogging'. My life changed dramtically back on the 8th December 2012 when I had accident, subsequently severing my spine resulting in being paralised from the waist down- But I will get to that a little later. As I was drifting in & out of consciousness for the first few weeks following the accident I have left it down to my sister, Leah, to write my story from the beginning... enjoy xx

It was approximately half hour past midnight on Saturday 8th December when I got the phone call that would change all our lives forever (cliché I know). I was asleep and at first I thought I dreamt my phone ringing and subconsciously I picked it up to see a voicemail from our Dad. All it said was "Ring me". Confused I rung straight away, I mean who leaves a voicemail at 1 in the morning if its not important? Dad answered and the conversation is a bit of a blur but he said something like "The police have called, your sister is in hospital, don't panic I'm on my way to William Harvey now, stay at home". In my panic I called my mum and passed the message on and she too said stay at home. I remember sitting on my bed, with our cat, Frankie, in a daze at what to do. It took me all of about a minute to decide the hospital is where I needed to be so I threw some clothes on, jumped in my car and drove the worst journey I have ever driven...

I was first to arrive at WHH and went straight to A&E. Before I even reached the receptionist I could hear Lauren screaming. They directed me in the ward and to Lauren. She was in agony, shouting, screaming, begging for help, crying that her legs were in pain, blood pouring out of her head. When she saw it was me there she calmed down and just kept saying "Leah help me, Leah help me..." It was heartbreaking, how could I help my sister when I didn't know how to? Mum, Dad & Mark (Mums Finace) soon arrived & spoke to the doctors who said they wanted to get Lauren in for an x-ray & MRI scan. Lauren kept repeating that her legs were on fire and whilst trying to calm her I tiggled her feet. Now Lauren hates people touching/tiggling her feet & kicks out at the slightest touch but this time nothing. Not even a flicker. It was at the moment I knew something serious was wrong...

They then took her off to for her scans & x-rays and Mum and I waited outside. The screaming was horrible. Hearing someone you love in so much pain when you are unable to do anything is quite possibly the worst feeling in the world. Scans over we went back to wait for the results. Thankfully Lauren seemed a bit calmer now she had a drip in although she kept repeating those haunting words 'Leah, help me'. The doctor then came over to speak. At this point I had to leave as I suppose I was scared of what he was going to say. I went outside for fresh air and waited. As soon as I saw Dads face when they came out to find me I knew my worst fears were confirmed. Through broken sobs Dad uttered those fateful words "Your sister, broken spine, they don't think she will be able to walk again". I remember covering my ears and saying "No, No I don't want to hear it". They then started saying Lauren needed to get to Kings College Hospital in London for specialist help as soon as possible so the doctors set about arranging that and we began the long wait for further news...