A woman who suffered severe brain injuries after being hit by a bus has amazed medics by making a ‘remarkable’ recovery, and has become a volunteer to help others overcome a similar ordeal.

Jaxx Cave spent ten months in hospital after she was hit in Park Street, Croydon, on her way home from work as a drug and alcohol commissioner for young people, as she waited for a bus on May 5, 2010.

She was airlifted for brain surgery first to the Royal London Hospital, then taken to the University Hospital in Lewisham, before finally being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability.

Ms Cave said: "Initially I wasn’t interested in rehabilitation, but when the nurses came to measure me for a wheelchair, something clicked and I was determined to get better.

"It wasn’t easy, but the staff were fantastic and encouraged me every step of the way and the rehabilitation team have helped me realise that I can contribute to society by helping others who are also on the same long road to recovery."

Sarah Griggs, an injury expert from Irwin Mitchell lawyers, said: "Jaxx suffered serious head injuries and her life won’t ever go back to how it was before the accident, but she has found a new passion for helping people, and here at Irwin Mitchell, we are working to secure her a lifetime care package that will ensure she gets the care she needs."

The insurers of the bus company, one of whose buses hit Jaxx, have partially admitted liability and are now working with Irwin Mitchell lawyers to settle the case and provide compensation to help Cave live as independently as possible and cover her loss of earnings as she will never be able to work in paid employment again.

Jaxx recently stood in front of 400 brain injury victims, support staff and medics at the Headfirst brain injury conference for the charity Headway and delivered a speech about the importance of rehabilitation services and how there is always hope.

She is now looking to become a brain injury ambassador with head injury charities to help others in a similar position to her.

Ms Cave still has problems with memory function, but has made a full physical recovery.

 

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