Wynyard woman’s thank you after suffering life-changing injuries in …

A Wynyard woman has raised more than £1,500 for the charity that saved her life after she suffered life-threatening injuries in a serious crash on the A19[1].

Danyelle Clark, 36, was a passenger in her mum’s car when it was involved with a collision near Crathorne in July 2018. A lorry crushed the two women, flipped their car onto its roof and dragged it on top of the barrier before putting them in the face of oncoming traffic.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) quickly responded to the scene and assessed and treated Miss Clarke’s injuries before she was put into a medically induced coma and taken to James Cook Hospital[2] in Middlesbrough[3].

“I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury," she said. "I was in a coma for six weeks and spent four and half months in hospital.

“When I woke up I was completely paralysed down the right side of my body, with limited movement in my left side. I was unable to hold my head up or retain my tongue in my mouth.

“I couldn’t speak and had blurred and double vision. I’ve been having daily physio and therapy since coming home from the hospital, during which I’ve had to rebuild my muscles, relearn simple tasks like sitting and standing, and regain my coordination and balance.

“I had to learn to speak again. I am currently learning how to walk again and use my right arm and hand.”

Danyelle in hospital Danyelle in hospital

Miss Clarke recalled the day of the accident as a “lovely sunny day”. She said she can only remember the conversation she had with her mum - "chatting away” about the ‘girlie day’ that had planned - moments before the accident.

She was later told that her mum was overtaking a lorry when it “suddenly swerved” into their lane and seriously injured them.

Now, Danyelle has taken part in the GNAAS’ Race to the Base virtual challenge. It saw participants complete their chosen distance in one month in any way they wanted, such as running, walking, cycling or swimming.

Miss Clarke chose to cover 78 miles by walking and cycling and aimed to raise £200 but surpassed this target very quickly.

Danyelle finishing Race to the Base Danyelle finishing Race to the Base

She said: “I felt that taking part in Race to Base was something I could do now, whilst continuing my recovery. I chose to do 78 miles (eight walking and 70 cycling) because that was a challenge, but achievable.

“I was aiming for £200 but raised £1,568. I’m overwhelmed by the support and encouragement that I received.

“The GNAAS team saved my life, and I can never thank them enough. I hope to become a volunteer in the future, because I think it’s important to give something back, and help raise awareness that GNAAS is a charity funded organisation, who need financial support to continue their amazing work.”

GNAAS does not receive government funding so it needs to raise £7.7m a year to remain operational. During summer, their critical care team experience an increase in call-outs of more than 50 per cent.

To support the charity by donating click here[5].

References

  1. ^ A19 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ James Cook Hospital (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ College lecturer taking on Great North Run just over a year after open heart surgery (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ here (www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk)

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