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Here is my story...

On the 17th November 1990 I was xmas shopping with my friend Emma and we took a bus ride home that would change our lives forever.

We had a lovely day shopping together and I remember I had bought my dads xmas present, It was time for us to go home so we hopped onto a bus for a 3 stop journey (I really wish we had walked now!). When we got off the bus the doors closed quickly and I was trapped, when the bus drove off I was dragged along with it and found myself under the wheel. (a double decker - I don't do things by halves!)

Luckily Emma managed to get the driver to move off of me by shouting and screaming at him (she is highly skilled in this area!). Emergency services appeared and I was whisked off to a local hospital. My injuries were assessed and I was quickly transferred to QVH in East Grinstead, a specialist hospital in reconstructive surgery helping people that had been damaged or disfigured through accidents or disease.

Over the next few weeks I was in the care of peanut ward (the children's unit) I underwent many serious operations to save my leg from amputation. The amazing work of the surgeons, doctors and nurses meant my leg was saved against all the odds but I then had to go through a major reconstruction programme of skin grafting operations. (ouchy ouch!)

I was only 12 years old at  the time and to be honest I didn't understand the seriousness of the situation, I can honestly say I enjoyed my time in the hospital, the nurses were lovely and I had many visitors. My mum visited everyday with a packed lunch and my dad visited every evening. Family visited and so did my school friends, I was in horrendous pain but I was ok and I was happy. When I think of my time in hospital I think of many of the other patients I met, their injuries were so much worse than mine. I think of the extra miles the staff went to help us and I think of the horrid hospital food!!!

As time goes on, life moves on and whilst my significant injuries and scars act as a constant reminder to the accident it also reminds me that life is precious. It was a difficult time for everyone especially my family, having to make decisions and to see the pain I was faced with on a daily basis. I am not sure I have ever thanked my family for being there - BIG THANK YOU. XX

After many operations and appointments the hospital had fixed me, I owe them a huge thank you for the care they gave me over the years, it has been a big part of my life and I have learnt many things over the journey.......such as........ always get a cab! NHS is amazeballs, when getting of a bus, get off quickly! QVH totally rocks, but mainly that there is always someone worse off than you and with support and love of family and friends and lots of morphine you will get there.

As a thank you I will be raising money for the hospital and in particular to other patients in Peanut Ward who's lives are in the hands of this hospital and their amazingly skilled staff, I would be very grateful if you could help support me and donate a few pounds in the memory of my "bad leg!"

Thank you so much for reading my story

Lots of Love

Lisa

PS - For years I told people Emma pushed me (it always made me chuckle!) but the truth is she helped save me - Thanks Emm xx