Brave Amanda starts recovery after being paralysed in crash

The woman paralysed in a horrific cycling crash on Bury hill has begun her long road to recovery.
By Stephen Pickthall
Published 27th Aug 2015, 16:10 BST

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Amanda Newton said she is treating her rehabilitation like one of her marathonsAmanda Newton said she is treating her rehabilitation like one of her marathons
Amanda Newton said she is treating her rehabilitation like one of her marathons

Mother-of-four Amanda Newton, from Yapton, is in a high dependency unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, having undergone two major operations on her spine.

Speaking to the Observer, marathon-runner Amanda, 44, said: “The recovery is going to be made in little steps I think, I am likening it to marathon training.

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“I have 11 broken bones, seven ribs all down my left side, three in my back at the bottom and a nasty collar bone break.”

Incredibly Amanda posted this smiling picture and message on Facebook just hours after her accidentIncredibly Amanda posted this smiling picture and message on Facebook just hours after her accident
Incredibly Amanda posted this smiling picture and message on Facebook just hours after her accident

Amanda’s brake failed as she rode down Bury hill on Sunday, August 9. She sped down the hill and crashed into a road sign.

She lay in long grass in pain for some time before, luckily a passing cyclist heard her cries for help.

Amanda announced the news that she would never walk again later that night on Facebook alongside a smiling picture of herself in a collar in hospital.

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Hundreds of people have praised her bravery, but Amanda said: “I am by no means a hero but I try not to allow dark moments to creep in, especially after the plane crash at Shoreham.

“I am safe and warm and well cared for and I am alive and have a very good future ahead of me.”

She added: “My husband is finding it quite hard I think all the family are.

“I miss my kids like bloody mad, I’ve cried tears over them but they really are showing me how brave and strong they are.

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“I may be here for a while but hopefully it will go quick and I will get visits home too.

“I think in the long run as a family this will make us stronger and I think we all have some amazing happy times to look forward to when I’m home.”

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