Lily-Mae West

The reason I am writing to both of you is I can sometimes struggle to talk about my accident and it can make me sad so mummy is going to help me.

When I first had my accident, I was very scared. I was seven and I remember being put to sleep, but still hearing voices around me. This was a scary experience. Mummy tells me I was brave. I even cried when I was asleep.

A special ambulance called Embrace had to come and pick me up and take me to a specialist hospital. I don’t remember any of this, but mummy said a special team came to pick me up from Scarborough and took me to LGI. Mummy told me we travelled with blue lights and daddy followed behind.

Mummy and daddy told me that when I arrived at LGI all the doctors were helping and I became upset and tried to pull out my breathing tubes. Mummy and daddy then had to leave me in intensive care where I was looked after.

After being on the children's ward for a few days, this is where Day One came into place. Mummy saw a leaflet on the table, unsure what it was, and started to look at it. There was another parent in the room who told mummy about Day One and the support they offer.

Mummy needed some support with anxiety and the trauma of the accident. They were put in contact with Marianne from Day One, who told us things such as what snacks were being delivered to the wards, including pizza, helping me look forward to the play therapist coming to see me, and helping organise appointments. She meant mummy just had someone there if we needed help.

I am now nine years old and have since been discharged from LGI as all my bones have now healed. Well, I have been left with some nerve damage and sometimes my sense of taste is a little off. I am now back at school with all my friends who I missed very much. I have finally in recent months gone back to hockey where I was a little scared to start with. I now attend Cubs and swimming. I missed these.

Mummy tells me that I don’t realise how amazing and brave I have been, and continue to be.

My body hasn’t changed that much, but I don’t like having my hair brushed now as it can hurt. I also really don’t like looking at pictures of myself from when I was in the hospital.

When I was in hospital and recovering at home, I had all my amazing family and friends come and see me. Then Mummy learned all about Day One. When I was in hospital I decided before I had even been discharged I wanted to help people. I decided I was going to run a lemonade stand and I went on to raise £2,000 for the charity and I got lots of amazing toys and books for the ward. I still remember daddy reading lots of books to me because I couldn’t see. We have turned a negative into a positive.

Mummy, daddy my big brother Elliott, and my close family have been affected by my time in hospital and this is something I don’t think anyone will forget. Mummy had to go see someone as she became very anxious. Mummy even had to get a new job to look after me. Mummy still hasn’t been to Scarborough since my accident.

Mummy, if I could tell you anything about the journey you are about to go on it would be to be brave, to talk to friends and family. Be positive and talk to people on the ward.

Lily-Mae, if I could tell you anything about your journey I would tell you to be brave, but most importantly be you. The next 16 months will be a roller coaster. But you have some amazing family and friends around you. Be strong and it's ok to talk about how you feel.

From Lily-Mae and mummy x