DIANE’S STORY
her health because I love her so much. She still never makes a fuss but it’s my turn to be strong. With my kids, I try to be the mother she was with me: reading, making playdough, listening, giving strength and unconditional love. Now – with those teenage years long gone – the woman I most want to be like is my mother.
No one can ever really be prepared for motherhood. When I was told Katie had been attacked, I walked into the hospital and didn’t even recognise the person lying amid machines and ventilators. I thought: ‘Who is that?’ All I could see was black and orange swelling. It did not compute that it was Katie.
But you have to keep going and put your faith in the doctors. It was hard for her. I never wanted Katie to see me cry – it wouldn’t help her, so I cried in private. Katie came to live with us after she left hospital. It was a difficult time. My husband David and I had to keep everything going – eye drops in the morning, four massages a day. She didn’t like it, and took out her anger on us, but I understood.
I kept a diary back then but I don’t look at it now. There was so much to take in and do. Meetings with doctors, the police, psychologists and keeping the daily routine. I took leave from work and on top of everything I was worrying about, I worried about Katie’s future.
All I could see was her continuing to live with us, a hermit’s existence, always scared. There was a lot of fear in the early days before the men who did this were caught. She would be terrified if the phone rang or there was a knock at the door. We changed our number and took our names off the electoral register. Fear is contagious and I felt it too.
Katie saw a psychologist which really helped her. David and I saw him too because it was difficult for us to cope. Small changes started to happen – she would joke about one ear which was more badly burnt than the other. She let us celebrate her birthday with a little party and a few of her friends. Then one day she came downstairs and said: ‘I’m going to the shop.’
I was really worried. I asked if she wanted me to go with her, or to walk halfway, and she said: ‘No.’ I watched her go from the garden gate, her thin legs disappearing into the distance. I felt like I did on her first day at school. I was terrified she’d panic and run into the road or that something would happen. I worked out how long it would take to get there and back and kept walking into the street looking for her. She came back smiling. ‘Stop worrying, Mum,’ she said. I knew then that she would be OK.
I watch her now and I’m so proud of her. I don’t know where this spirit comes from but she has touched so many people. She is brave, compassionate and absolutely determined to make a difference. She wants to fix everything. When I told her about my cancer, the next day a juicer and a huge box of fresh fruit and vegetables appeared on the doorstep. She comes with me to my appointments, even when I tell her not to. ‘You were my hospital buddy, I’m going to be yours,’ she says.
What Katie has done is amazing. But I think the greatest and most incredible thing is her getting married and having two wonderful girls. Honestly, I never thought that would happen, especially when I look back to those dark times. She’s a wonderful mother and she’s happy, which is all you want for your children.
During lockdown I haven’t been able to see her but we speak all the time and she can always make me laugh. Katie never gives up hope, which is a great lesson for everyone.
Katie Piper’s Extraordinary People podcast is available now. For information on Katie’s charity, visit katiepiperfoundation.org.uk