Amazing recovery of woman unable to walk or talk after being hit by bus

 
Survivor: Bus victim Jaxx Cave
6 August 2013

A woman who suffered massive brain injuries when she was hit by a bus has made a remarkable recovery.

Jaxx Cave, 41, was told she might not pull through and later felt there was no hope of getting better through rehabilitation. But she says she became determined to try “when they came to measure me for a wheelchair”.

She was unable to walk, talk or feed herself after her skull was shattered but re-learned those skills and is now volunteering to help others.

Ms Cave, of Brockley, was knocked down while crossing the road in Croydon in May 2010, after she left her work as a drug and alcohol commissioner for young people. She spent 10 months in hospital, first in The Royal London in Whitechapel, where she was airlifted for brain surgery, and then the University Hospital Lewisham, before moving to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, in September 2010.

With daily rehabilitation Ms Cave became well enough to move into a specialist “transitional” house in Putney in December that year. Although she will never work again due to brain injuries affecting her memory and other cognitive problems, she now lives at home where she receives daily support from her mother and carers.

She said: “My first memory after the accident was being taken to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. I wasn’t interested in rehabilitation initially, as I thought there was no hope, but when the nurses came to measure me for a wheelchair, something twigged and I was determined to get better. It wasn’t easy. There were so many days I wanted to hide away and stay in bed, but the staff were fantastic and encouraged me every step of the way.

“I know I am not the same person I was before the accident — I will never have the career I had before, probably won’t become a mother, I forget things and may never become fully independent. But my rehabilitation team have helped me feel I can contribute to society and perhaps now help others who find themselves on the same long road to recovery.” Ms Cave now volunteers at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, and is looking to become a brain injury ambassador for charities.

She has received several payments from bus company Abellio London, which accepted partial liability. Sarah Griggs, of law firm Irwin Mitchell’s, said: “She will continue to need a team to help with physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. We’re working to secure her a lifetime care package.”

Abellio said: “We are pleased to see the recovery Ms Cave has made.”

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