Jessie-Lee’s Story
Five minutes from home, I was involved in a car crash.
What happened?
On the 23 March 2014 my life changed instantly. Five minutes from home, I was involved in a car crash. I was thrown out of my car when it flipped and rolled off the Kwinana freeway and down an embankment.
Pinned underneath, I suffered full thickness burns to 13% of my body, along with a fractured pelvis and left foot. I was flown to Royal Perth Hospital.
My treatments and recovery journey
From the early stages of treatment and recovery, my days consisted of restricted mobility, sitting in a wheelchair and relying on others to help me. The simplest of tasks were impossible for me to do. It was difficult to go from being fully independent to being incapable and so I went on a rollercoaster of emotions.
To combat and constantly fight my scaring, physiotherapy at RPH and with a local physiotherapist in Mandurah, was (and still is), a must. I would do stretching, resistance training and weights five days a week and massage therapy once a week.
I had laser therapy once a month to help mature my burn. This assisted with my range of movement and function.
My life now
Years after the accident and I’m very proud of what I have achieved. I’m out of my wheelchair but day to day activities are still challenging at times. I’ve learnt to be patient and persistent, and to strengthen my mind which keeps me focused in the present and on the future to come. Without this, my road to recovery would be difficult mentally and physically.
Reducing scarring is still the focus of my recovery, so my days consist of hours of stretching, resistance training and physiotherapy, and there will be more surgeries to come.
The Foundation, RPH, the physiotherapists, OT’s, doctors, nurses, surgeons, ambulances, therapists, my partner, family and friends have been a true blessing in my life during this horrific experience. They have all saved my life, helped me fight the toughest battle I’ve ever encountered, and most of all believed in me.
I’m an extremely lucky woman to have had the chance to be looked after by such passionately driven and dedicated, incredible people.
Jessie-Lee