 "Until that fateful day, I ran a successful business and was aware that looks are important. I know that first impressions count.
In October,
1999, I was on an express train when
it smashed head-on into another train
that had just left Paddington. The
impact created a massive fireball inside
my compartment. I was left with full
thickness burns to my face, hands and
legs and was unconscious for three
weeks. 33 people were killed and more
than 400 injured.
The medical team at
the Charing Cross Hospital saved my
life and the treatment involved major
surgery, long-term burn care nursing,
physiotherapy and psychological help.
Recovering from horrific injuries,
I wore a Perspex mask to help reduce
the scarring. For the first year I had to wear it 23 hours a day. It was very uncomfortable, but it worked.
I hope that through research, best practice in medical treatment can be developed further and the information needs of people affected by disfigurement will be met." |
