Headway’s Action For Brain Injury Week Puts Issue In Spotlight

A Ripon woman who feels “lucky to be alive” after suffering devastating injuries in a car crash two years ago is marking this year’s Action for Brain Injury Week by speaking out about her hopes to push forward with her recovery.

Lauren Walkington, 21, suffered a number of injuries including a traumatic brain injury, a fracture and dislocation of her left knee and chest bruising in the accident on the A168 in September 2016, when a car travelling in the opposite direction swerved into the front of her vehicle.

The impact proved so severe that Lauren needed to be removed from her car by the fire brigade. She was sedated and ventilated at the scene and had to be transferred to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance.  She was only able to return home to her parents’ care around two months on from the incident.

Now, to mark the Action for Brain Injury campaign week organised by the charity Headway, Lauren is speaking out about how she is continuing to work on her recovery and rehabilitation.

The event, held from May 14th to 20th this year, has the theme of ‘you, me, and brain injury’, which focuses on how brain injuries affect the survivors, as well as their family and friends.

Specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are continuing to work to help Lauren gain justice in relation to the crash and have also secured interim payments to help fund several key therapies that she requires.

Looking back on her journey, Lauren, who is a member of Headway’s Harrogate group, said: “Although I truly feel lucky to be alive, the crash has affected my life in a huge number of ways. My injuries mean I suffer from a range of problems with my memory, fatigue and mood among other things.

“I’ve also been left frustrated by the fact I’ve been unable to return to my business and marketing management studies at university since the crash and it’s been difficult on my friendships. I am now more reliant on my family and it has been hard to lose my independence.

“However, while nothing will change what I have been through, I remain confident that with the help of Headway and Irwin Mitchell I will be able to push forward with my rehabilitation and put the crash behind me. I am determined to still get the very best from life and get back to being my confident and independent self.”

Lauren was in Intensive Care for three weeks before being transferred on to the High Dependency Unit at the Leeds General Infirmary following the crash and was initially unable to take a normal diet due to problems with swallowing. By October 2016 she had been transferred to the Lascelles neuro rehabilitation unit at Harrogate Hospital where she received inpatient therapy including physiotherapy and occupational therapy. During this time, she learnt to walk again because of severe right sided weakness following her injuries.

She then had trial periods at home under the care of her family before being discharged in November. She has continued to attend hospital as an outpatient ever since.

Bethany Greenwood, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office who is representing Lauren, said: “Action for Brain Injury Week is an important time to reflect on the huge effect that a brain injury has on survivors and Lauren’s story is a prime example of how recovery and rehabilitation can be a long-term issue which takes many years.

“Lauren’s experiences have affected her life in a number of ways but she remains determined to achieve a full recovery and we are working to support her every step of the way.

“As well as trying to secure Lauren’s long-term financial future we are ensuring that she gets the best rehabilitation possible so that she can move on with her life and achieve the things that are important to her.”

Emma Havercroft, Chair of the Headway Harrogate committee, said: “Lauren has undergone an extensive period of rehabilitation provided by the NHS and continues to work hard towards her on-going goals.

“Recovery from brain injury can take many years and unfortunately statutory services cannot always provide long term support.

“Headway, and the rehabilitation that firms like Irwin Mitchell are able to provide via the claims process, offer much needed help and support for brain injury survivors and their families.

“We wish Lauren continued recovery from her brain injury and are proud to say that she is a member of Headway Harrogate and District.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in serious injury claims.