Scared to be alone after vicious attack
Diane Turner is too scared to go anywhere alone and is still suffering concussion six weeks after she was injured at her Timaru property.
The King St Koha Shed founder, who spends most of her spare time helping others, believes she was attacked from behind on Saturday, December 7, about 9.30pm as she walked from her garage to her back door. She suffered two black eyes, a gash on the head and concussion as a result of the incident.
Turner was not able to remember the incident, but a large lump on the back of her head and the facial injuries she suffered has led her to believe she must have been hit from behind.
The incident was reported to police but she said there had been no arrests and she had not heard of any further developments since she gave a statement.
Turner said she had become suspicious of everyone and questioned whether any of those she had come into contact with had been the one who attacked her as she has no idea what they look like.
‘‘That person has taken all my self confidence away . . . I have anxiety and panic attacks.’’
Her husband, Wayne, has to accompany her anywhere she goes beyond their gate, even to the supermarket. ‘‘And I never go outside at night,’’ she said.
She was seeing a psychiatrist to try to deal with her fears, and a neurologist because of a little brain damage from the lump behind her ear from the attack.
Every afternoon she has to nap, and still has blurry vision and dizzy spells so cannot work or drive.
‘‘I’m fighting as much as I can to get back to normal . . . I never imagined concussion would have such an impact.’’
Wayne said her personality had changed and she was ‘‘snappier’’ and not as patient as she used to be. ‘‘It’s (going out) no different to grandchildren holding my hand, she just holds it tighter. It’s frustrating, especially for her . . . I can’t go anywhere and she can’t go anywhere.’’
The couple were grateful to the community for the support they had received after the attack with many well wishers giving flowers and chocolates.
Turner established the Koha Shed in September 2019 with donated goods offered free of charge to members of the public who need them. She has been forced to reduce the shed’s hours to Friday from 10am to 12pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm. A sign with the correct information will be erected this week.