Road Safety Talks by Lauren Doherty

By Alison Holland

Published: March 11, 2020

Lauren Dohery.

“My life will never be the same again as a result of not concentrating on the road.” Read the incredible story of Lauren Doherty BCAv and how the impact of the collision she was involved in has affected her life but also led to amazing achievements and recognition for her work helping others to be safe on the roads. Here’s Lauren…

“I was a carefree teenager who lived life to the max, always hanging around with my friends and we loved being out.

Career wise, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I always had a job. This changed when I was successful in gaining a position at a local college, supporting individuals who had visual impairment. I knew that I had found my vocation in life.

A few months after starting the job, life as I knew it was to change forever.

It was a summer’s evening in August 2008 and I had been out with a group of my friends in our local town to watch a band play. Some of us went back to a friend’s house and at about 4am I set off walking back home. A friend walked with me.

I don’t know what made me cross the road at the wrong time, but I crossed the road without looking and taking due care and attention. I was hit by a van and I’m now completely paralysed and need everything doing for me.

I broke my neck and required an operation to stabilise the vertebrae. My pelvis and wrist were also broken. I had a bleed from my aorta requiring a stent and compartment syndrome requiring an operation on my legs. I also needed a skin graft on my legs and a tracheostomy for ventilation. I was kept in an induced coma for the first three days and subsequently spent three-and-a-half weeks in intensive care. In total I spent 16 months in different hospitals, with the last eight months spent in an SCI Centre.

I remember all the conversations which used to go on at my bedside. One in particular was around the fact that I wouldn’t be able to breathe again for myself. I remember feeling so determined that I would be able to do so, I made it my focus to prove everyone wrong. Eventually after two years of trials, I was in a position to not be totally dependent on a machine to help me breathe all the time, which means a great deal to me.

Thousands Learn from Lauren

On 23 November 2009, I moved back to my parents’ home which was redesigned (they had only just had a new extension completed!) to allow the installation of all of my equipment and to accommodate the two carers I needed with me at all times. The task of totally rebuilding my life again began and on 29 October 2013, I finally moved into my own purpose-built bungalow. This allowed me to live independently, which I so wanted.

I always wanted to speak about road safety in schools, but felt anxious about doing so; how would it be received?

In 2016, I visited my first primary school and spoke to a group of 10 children. I was grateful for this opportunity as it helped me to gauge the children’s reaction. It was really well received by the children and the staff.
As a result of talking to this one group of children, it has led to Teachers, Group leaders, Police Forces and Fire & Rescue Services all sharing details of the work I am doing and has resulted in, to date, me speaking to over 3000 Children and Young Adults alongside these Agencies, as well as reaching thousands of people through social media, newspapers and magazines.

Making the Most of Life

Working in collaboration with North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, I help present as part of their ‘Learn & Live’ campaign.

This campaign is aimed at Sixth Form Children, 16 years plus, who are new to, or currently learning to drive, raising their awareness of the consequences of poor driving and being a passenger in a vehicle driven by a young driver. Drugs, alcohol, mobile phones plus other distractions are covered via video clips and presentations.

In 2017, I was awarded the Bravery Award at my local radio station, Stray FM’s, ‘Local Hero Awards’ and in April 2019, I was awarded the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award at the Yorkshire Choice Awards.

By volunteering my time in the community, I have a gained a purpose again as well as having a project I can focus on. If and when I have a bad day, which I still do 11 years on from my accident, I often think about the work I am doing, the warm welcome I receive everywhere I go, the great feedback, letters, messages of support and the pictures I have received from the children and it motivates me to stay positive.

I hope also to benefit others in demonstrating that that just because you have had an accident and you are in a wheelchair, your life isn’t over. You have to try your best to readjust to your new life and make the most of every new opportunity available to you.

Sharing the Message with All Age Groups

I believe that being open and honest about my life is the best way to be with the children I talk to. They respond extremely well and ask a lot of questions. My hope is that by sharing the reality of what can happen if you don’t take care when crossing the road, it will, in a small way, help reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

The message I wish to get across is aimed at all age groups. From holding parents’ hands, not using your mobile phone while crossing the road to being aware of the roads on a night out. It’s all relevant.

The reality is that I now need two carers around me all the time; if not by my side, in a room near me. They do everything for me from getting me washed, brushing my teeth, scratching my nose if I have an itch, cooking and feeding me my tea and enabling me to go out places.

To use my TV, computer, phone, turn my lights on and off, I use a device called an Eyegaze, similar to an iPad. I can use this using my eyes; it detects my eye movement or when I tire of this, I can use a mouthpiece which is like a computer mouse.

Although I do spend time by myself, I must have a baby monitor by my side in case I need any assistance or if there is an emergency. If I make a call to my friends or family, my conversation is heard through the monitor. I have had to accept that this is my life now.

I enjoy shopping, going out and spending time with my friends, going to the cinema and concerts, taking my niece out and spending time with my family. I just can’t do anything quickly or without planning now. The times I would just nip to see a friend or nip into town by myself have gone.

My life will never be the same again as a result of not concentrating on the road, and making a life-changing, split second decision to cross it at the wrong time. I hope that by sharing my story, it makes people aware of the impact an accident can have, not only on your life, but on your family and the driver’s life. If my story prevents even one person from experiencing what I have been through, then talking to people about my life and road safety is worthwhile.”

Lauren Doherty and Rebecca. Lauren Doherty BCAv. Road safety with Lauren Doherty.

Lauren’s Achievements

May 2017   Bravery Award at Stray FM’s ‘Local Hero Awards’

April 2019  ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award at the Yorkshire Choice Awards

July 2019   ‘British Citizen Award’ for Volunteering at The Palace of Westminster

July 2019  ‘Members Choice Award’ from the Spinal Injuries Association

October 2019   Chief Constable Commendation from North Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable, Lisa Winward

November 2019   ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award at the Harrogate & District Volunteering Oscars

November 2019  ‘Unsung Hero’ at the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards

Keep up with Lauren and her mission by following here twitter account @roadsafetytalks and check out her website and information about her road safety talks in the North Yorkshire area at roadsafetytalks.co.uk.