Ellie Johnson

'The toughest year of my life'

In the early hours of Sunday 22 June 2008, Ellie Johnson and her friends were travelling home after attending their annual university ball. A fun night suddenly ended in catastrophe as the car they were travelling in suffered a tyre blowout and veered across the motorway before being hit by a lorry and thrown onto its roof.

"I don't actually remember anything about the accident," said Ellie. "When the car span and rolled, my brain repeatedly struck the inside of my skull causing bruising. My Glasgow Coma Scale rating at the scene was four; I've since been told that three is the lowest you can possibly score."

Ellie was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma for three days to help reduce the swelling in her brain. It took her a further three days to fully wake up. For the next two weeks, Eleanor suffered from post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). She also had temporary paralysis down her left side.

"It was a confusing time," said Ellie. "I remember very little from this period, even though I was awake and having conversations with my family. Before I could talk again, I was even having written conversations, which I've now seen, but I have no recollection of them taking place.

"Someone described it as having islands of memory, which is exactly what it was; the islands gradually got bigger and my continuous memory started to return. I remember special events though, like someone unexpected coming to see me or the first time I was able to walk again - despite not remembering the previous physiotherapy sessions I'd had every day for the previous two weeks."

Ellie spent four weeks in hospital followed by another three weeks in a neurological rehabilitation centre. As an independent and active person, she was determined to do all she could to get fit enough to leave as soon as possible.

"I found my time in the rehab centre incredibly tough," said Ellie. "I was quickly realising the enormity of the situation and beginning to return to my old self. I didn't show any emotion while I was in hospital, which concerned my dad; he knew full-well that I would normally have been incredibly angry, frustrated and upset - particularly because I had booked a trip to Australia and New Zealand, which had to be cancelled.

"I guess it's just another way your brain copes with things. Maybe I didn't think about things and get upset until I was well enough to cope."

Ellie made good progress with her physical rehabilitation, but it soon became apparent that she would have long-term difficulties with certain cognitive functioning, including concentration, attention and short-term memory.

Due to these problems, Ellie was advised not to return to university to begin the final year of her bio-veterinary degree and spend a year recovering - something she had no intention of doing and less than four months after the accident, Eleanor returned to university to start her final year.

"My tutors were incredibly supportive. They helped me beyond my expectations and I could not have got through my final year without the amazing help of the learning support team.

"Going back to university so soon meant I had to make sacrifices. As a result of the accident I suffer from fatigue and I have to listen to my body and not over do it. The tiredness is frustrating as I need to get early nights and often have naps. I didn't have much of a life outside working for my degree; I was unable to do sport and socialise like everyone else.

"Before the accident I was a keen rugby player and often went out with my friends. For obvious reasons I took the doctors orders and have not played rugby for this past year, however I do intend to start training again next season.

"As well as the tiredness I also have found it very frustrating not being allowed to drive and having to rely on other people for lifts, but my boyfriend has been amazing and has been driving me about a lot this year.

"I definitely do not regret finishing my degree this year as it meant I can graduate with my friends. Yes, it's been hard work but I've enjoyed the challenge and I'm proud to say I'm on course to get a 2:1 honours degree later this summer.

"Throughout my recovery I have done far better than the doctors predicted, although I realise that brain injuries affect everyone differently so they can never say for sure what will happen.

"My recovery has definitely been helped by the amazing support I've had from my family and friends. Only people who have been through something similar can understand the guilt I feel that so many people put their lives on hold for me."