Cristiana's story

Hello my name is Cristiana! I am 20 years old and I live in Romania. 

On 7th January 2015, my boyfriend and I decided to go to England for a better life together and we were going to get married. We got jobs, it was difficult at first but we were together so that made it easier.

 On the 16 February, I had the accident. I was walking across the road when a truck ran over me. From that day, I started a new life.

When the driver of the helicopter come to take me to hospital, he called my cousin to tell her about what had happened.

I was in a coma for 2 months, and then in intensive therapy for 4 months. I was then moved to the trauma ward, 12D in the Royal London Hospital. Two weeks after I came out of the coma, I started to realise what had happened to me. That moment was very hard for me, and still is, but it was easier to bear because all my family were with me. In addition, I had a lot of support from the doctors, nurses, the physiotherapist, my boyfriend and all my friends.

I had very bad pelvic and leg injuries. They were so bad that I ended up having my left leg amputated below the knee. They also took a lot of tissue from my right thigh. During my stay in intensive care, I needed a tracheostomy which was was only taken out once I moved to the trauma ward. All this meant that my rehabilitation was very long and complex.

That is why, Tom the physio, was my hero. He took my tracheostomy tube out. Then helped me to sit up, to sit in the wheel chair, to move my right leg, then to stand, then to walk. All the nurses were very kind and I am very thankful to them all. The doctors saved my life and they give me faith to fight for my life. In these hard moments, is very important to be with all the people you love. 

 Now I am back in Romania. Although I had started walking with a prosthesis in the rehab gym at the Royal London, I have since had further surgery here and I'm not walking at the moment. It is fine being back home, but I do miss all the nurses, doctors and Tom the physio back in Ward 12D, they became my friends. When I am recovered from the latest surgery, I will come to England to visit all the 12D staff.

For a while after the accident, I had the support of my boyfriend but that didn't last too long. Nine months later, he left me like he never cared about me. This is something that kills you inside slowly and emphasizes all the pain you've been through. But these experiences have to make you stronger and you need to realise that the most important thing is just to be alive and to recover. And all my family and my friends are still with me. Thank you all!