Rehabilitation Success after Drink Driver Nightmare

11/02/2010

On 1 November 2003, Tracy Osborne’s life was turned upside down by a drink driver. Tracy and her partner, Steve Haywood, were returning home from visiting Tracy’s father when Andrew Heard crashed head-on into Tracy’s car.

Tracy suffered horrific injuries, including a severe head injury, multiple fractures to her legs, arms and collarbone, and abdominal injuries including a laceration of her liver. She had to be resuscitated twice, and underwent major surgery. As a result of her injuries, Tracy sustained brain damage and this coupled with her orthopaedic injuries meant that she had a list of ongoing issues even after she had eventually been stabilised. Tracy was not discharged home until July 2004, 10 months after the accident.

Tracy struggled hugely with reading, writing and her memory. Her mobility was limited and she required a wheelchair outdoors. Tracy couldn’t dress herself or pick up her granddaughter, and had to relearn tasks like cooking, things that she had taken for granted before the accident. She was even forced to move house to an adapted bungalow because her home was no longer suitable for her.

However, while Tracy is the first to admit that the accident changed her life beyond recognition, after spending time in a specialist rehabilitation unit at Daniel Yorath House, her independence has soared. Tracy is now able to dress herself, and her mobility has improved to the point where she requires a wheelchair only when travelling long distances. She has learned to manage her memory problems by using a wall planner, and is able to attend the gym and go swimming with a support worker. Tracy socialises at a local craft club, and even attended college to improve her literacy skills. Tracy has benefited from counselling, and she now thinks positively about the future rather than being angry and upset about what happened to her.

Tracy says “Drink drivers ruin lives, and all for a drink. It just seems so pointless. I am now looking forward to making the most of my life with the skills I have learned to help me do as much as I possibly can”.

Tracy’s solicitor, Rachael Aram, agrees. “Drink drinking kills 44 people every day, and on top of that figure are the people whose lives are completely changed like Tracy’s. Tracy is a shining example of how even in the most difficult of circumstances following really serious injuries, with support and rehabilitation, life can really mean something again”.

Brake, the road safety charity, are encouraging members of the public to report people they know to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs by calling the police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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