Knaresborough campaigner educating children for Road Safety Week
After Lauren suffered her accident she wanted others to learn the consequences of road safety
A Knaresborough woman who was paralysed after being hit by a van is hoping to teach children to be more careful when crossing the road.
Lauren Doherty's accident happened in 2008 and since then she's been unable to move from the neck down, needing help to do basic tasks.
She's been leading talks all this week to share her story to show it can happen to anyone.
She said:
"I was 20 and just going out with friends as I always used to do and then waking up in the hospital to be told that my life was going to completely change. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life sat being miserable but I thought I'd focus on as many positive things and tried to carry on and live my life.
"Seeing what my accident did to myself and my friends, I never wanted anyone else to have to go through what I've gone through and they have gone through that's why I lead these talks.
"I remember the hedgehog adverts on TV when I was younger but there isn't much anymore. But I'll go into schools and tell them my story; how it has affected my life. It really does interest them and they never shy away from any of the awkward questions like how do I go to the toilet or get out of bed."
Road Safety Week, which is the third week in November, is the UK's biggest road safety event. Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to shout out for our right to make safe and healthy journeys every day.
After sustaining life changing injuries in 2008, Lauren always wanted to educate people in the hope that it prevented just one other person from experiencing what she had been through.
She committed to sharing her story and message with as many people as she can whilst raising awareness of taking care when crossing the road.
Lauren leads talks for the benefit of children and adults by promoting safe practices in relation to road use. She set up Road Safety Talks with the vision to advance the education around issues of road safety with the object of reducing personal injury and death amongst road users.