Woman given 0.5% chance of survival after crash gets miracle new lease of life
A woman who survived a car crash, despite being given only a 0.5% chance of survival, is hoping to inspire others after her miracle recovery.
Lauren Feeney, 29, from Glasgow, was involved in a horrific accident on New Year's Eve 2019 when the car she was travelling in collided with a 32-tonne lorry. Lauren had just started her dream job as a cabin crew member for British Airways in London when the crash occurred.
She suffered severe injuries, including 26 broken bones, eye damage, internal bleeding and brain damage, and her body was described as "like jelly" when she was rescued from the wreckage. Her three off-duty BA colleagues who were also in the car didn't survive the crash.
Lauren said: "I can't remember anything. When I hear about what happened, it's like listening to a story about someone else, or watching a TV show. It was horrible, so maybe it's better that way." After spending two months in a London hospital, Lauren was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Despite now living with a brain injury, sight problems, reduced function in one leg which requires a brace, and other permanent injuries, Lauren volunteers two days a week at the hospital. She continued her rehabilitation at home with the help of her parents, Pauline and Kevin.
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She praised the staff for her recovery after her parents were told "not to get their hopes up" and to prepare for a life of caring for her. "I spent two years receiving a range of therapies," she said. "Mum and dad had been told not to get their hopes up, that my life would be severely limited. They were planning for a life of care."
Lauren was a passenger in a car that collided with a 32-tonne lorry (No credit)"But the staff who cared for me were just fantastic. They were such an amazing support for me that I'm not sure where I'd be without them." Unable to return to her former job, Ms Feeney spends her time running and swimming, but has ambitions to become a motivational speaker.
She said: "I started volunteering at the QEUH relaxation and recuperation hub just over a year ago and, to be honest, I feel so lucky to be here. Before cabin crew I worked in hospitality, and I just love being around people and helping them, so being here is perfect. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. The aftermath of the accident means as soon as I get stressed or overwhelmed, it gets really tough.
"Plus I can't walk as well as I used to, and I've got constant problems with my sight, so days can be a bit of a challenge. But I don't want sympathy, or to make a big deal of things."
Her three off-duty BA colleagues who were also in the car didn't survive the crash (No credit)"People like me wouldn't normally be able to speak, but that has made me even more determined to share my story. In fact, it feels like I have a responsibility to make the most of that to help others who have been through similar."
Dr Teng Cheng Khoo, the lead clinician at the neuro-rehabilitation unit, praised Ms Feeney's determination and hard work. He said: "One of the main reasons for Ms Feeney's phenomenal recovery and reintegration is her ongoing motivation and the hard work that she has put in over the years."
He added: "Staff at the then PDRU found her a joy to work with despite the challenges she had to face at that time. She worked with staff to set goals that consistently pushed the boundaries of her recovery and what she was able to achieve."
Dr Khoo also highlighted the fact that her recovery took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, making her achievements even more remarkable. Ms Feeney shared her own thoughts on her journey, saying: "If you have challenges in your life and aren't sure you can take on something new, look at me don't let anything hold you back." She added: "In fact, I'd say even more that you should go for it."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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