Lucy Thurlow, 44 and from Potters Bar, in Hertfordshire, is one of just three people from across the UK to be named a finalist for the Alex Richardson Achiever of the Year award to recognise her exceptional personal achievements after brain injury.
The accolade, sponsored by Slater and Gordon Solicitors, will be presented at a ceremony organised by Headway – the brain injury association at The Dorchester Hotel in London on Friday 16 December.
On 1 February 2011, Lucy suffered a series of epileptic seizures and was admitted to hospital in Hertfordshire where she was monitored before being discharged. Tragically, the problem was not an isolated incident, and a further series of seizures a month later deprived Lucy's brain of oxygen, leaving her blind and with a life-changing anoxic brain injury.
Lucy, who had been running her own catering business before her seizures, spent a total of five months receiving specialist care in the Royal Free Hospital, in London.
Brain injury left Lucy blind and unable to walk, swallow or communicate. It soon became clear that her battle to recovery was only just beginning.
After spending the majority of 2011 in hospital, she was finally transferred to a neurological rehabilitation facility, in Elstree, on 25 August 2011 where she now lives and requires 24-hour one-to-one care.
With support from local brain injury charity, Headway Hertfordshire, and through pure determination, Lucy worked tirelessly to regain movement in her legs and, today, she can now stand and walk with assistance.
In addition to enjoying trips to the shops and visiting friends, Lucy has even been able to take two short holidays to the seaside. Until recently, such an outing was out of the question as Lucy's poor mobility prevented her from leaving the house.
Not content with her personal life achievement, Lucy strived to defy her brain injury further by organising her own version of the London marathon to give hope to others who have been left severely disabled by brain injury.
On 20 April, 'The Lucy Marathon' saw Lucy battle through 2.6 miles as she walked 576 miles per day for seven days, concluding her challenge on 27 April with a final 157-metre trek to raise more than £2,600 for Headway Hertfordshire.
Defying predictions that she was to face lifelong paralysis as a result of her brain injury, Lucy's charity mission to help others is possibly her greatest achievement yet.
From not being able to say her own name after brain injury, Lucy now also loves to sing, and is beginning to relearn how to dress herself.
"I feel very honoured to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award," said Lucy in an emotional speech to the staff and members of her care home.
"I've never wanted any sort of fuss but I was bursting with the news and couldn't wait to tell everyone at our home and thank them all for their incredible ongoing support which has helped me get this far.
"The best part about my recovery has been re-learning how to walk. I love to walk everyday now, and will never again take such things for granted."
Sue Thurlow said: "Lucy has come so far and I couldn't be prouder of her. The early stages of recovery were dreadful.
"When Lucy first arrived at the care home, all she would do is sit screaming every day. To see my daughter now holding such wonderful conversations with the other residents and joining in with the discussion groups is a real pleasure.
"When Lucy addressed a room full of people upon discovering she was a national finalist, the home's Director of Care became so emotional at seeing how far she has come that she left the room to cry. My Lucy is truly remarkable."
Lucy's nomination was made extra special as it was her friend and Headway Hertfordshire Support Co-ordinator, Pauline Gentle, who put her forward for the accolade.
"Lucy is respected and loved by everyone who meets her," said Pauline.
"She is an inspiration. When I first visited Lucy at her home following a referral to Headway Hertfordshire in 2012, she was sitting in a wheelchair in her room, unresponsive with no movement from her legs or arms.
"Four years on from her ordeal, Lucy has achieved so much. After so much hard work, she is now able to talk with her family and carers – not to mention battling her mobility problems to take on a charity marathon. She has a wicked sense of humour, and her courage, love and determination shines through every day."
Just before Christmas last year, Lucy's six-year-old nephew, Morgan, was asked by his school to write about his hero.
Morgan wrote: "Someone who is special to me is my auntie Lu-Lu. She is disabled and sits in a wheelchair and she is blind but she can live. She loves it when we go to see her. We give her big hugs and we tell her all our news about football and school. Lu-Lu makes me laugh and she laughs a lot, too. She tells us funny stories. I think it's sad she can't see us and that she can't walk very well. I love her loads."
The Alex Richardson Achiever of the Year award is named after a University of St. Andrews student who tragically passed away following a brain injury at the tender age of 21. Alex's family have since been invaluable supporters of Headway, dedicating their time to raise vital funds for brain injury survivors around the UK.
Each year, Headway Annual Awards celebrates the exceptional efforts of survivors of brain injury and their carers. Lucy will discover if she is to be named Alex Richardson Achiever of the Year at a glittering ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel, in London, on Friday 16 December. Awards for Volunteer and Carer of the Year will also be presented, alongside the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award.
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