Lauren Feeney suffered 26 broken bones, eye injuries, internal bleeding and brain damage when the car she was a passenger in collided with a 32-tonne truck on New Year’s Eve, 2019.
The 29-year-old injuries were so bad that when the police officer who was first on the scene pulled her from the car, her body was “like jelly”, and she spent a month in a coma.
All three other occupants of the car died in the crash.
Lauren said: “I can’t remember anything. When I hear about what happened, it’s like listening to a story about someone else, or watching a TV show. It was horrible, so maybe it’s better that way.
“I spent two years receiving a range of therapies,” Lauren said. “Mum and dad had been told not to get their hopes up, that my life would be severely limited. They were planning for a life of care.
“But the staff who cared for me were just fantastic. They were such an amazing support for me that I’m not sure where I’d be without them.”
Despite living with a brain injury, sight problems, reduced function in one leg, and other permanent injuries, Lauren now volunteers two days a week helping staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital – where she spent four months in the orthopaedic department and the physically disabled rehabilitation unit.
She said: “I started volunteering at the QEUH R&R Hub just over a year ago and, to be honest, I feel so lucky to be here. Before cabin crew I worked in hospitality, and I just love being around people and helping them, so being here is perfect.
“Don’t get me wrong – it’s not easy. The aftermath of the accident means as soon as I get stressed or overwhelmed, it gets really tough. Plus I can’t walk as well as I used to, and I’ve got constant problems with my sight, so days can be a bit of a challenge.
“But I don’t want sympathy, or to make a big deal of things.”
Lauren also runs regularly, swims five days a week and is in training with the Scottish National Para Swimming Squad.
She has even become a motivational speaker so she can inspire others to overcome their own challenges.
She said: “I have to concentrate really hard on where my foot is going to land and with my sight issue it can be a real challenge. But I’m stubborn so I won’t give up, and I’m learning to manage pretty well.
“I was offered the chance to speak at a conference recently, and I absolutely loved it.
“People like me wouldn’t normally be able to speak, but that has made me even more determined to share my story. In fact, it feels like I have a responsibility to make the most of that to help others who have been through similar.”
Mary Nolan, interim volunteer manager with NHSGGC, described Lauren as “an amazing person – quick, funny, sharp, and always smiling”.
She added: “Lauren started volunteering at the beginning of December 2022, and from the word go I had a feeling she would be a success. It is a credit to her that we make no particular adaptations or allowances for her significant residual disability.
“The HUB is a place for our staff to come to relax and have a coffee, and Lauren is so friendly and helpful – all the HUB users love her.”
“Lauren has so much potential, and we are delighted that this volunteer role has been able to play a part in her ongoing recovery.”
To learn more about volunteering with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, click HERE
