‘How strength of mind helped me overcome life-changing injuries from horror crash’

AN inspirational woman who suffered life-changing injuries in a horrific head-on crash says “strength of mind” has been key to her recovery.

Alaw Llwyd Owen, 34, who lives in Denbigh, was involved in a serious collision in October 2018 which left her in intensive care and unable to walk.

She was on her way home from work in Bala when she was involved in a head-on crash on the A543 near Denbigh.

She had to be cut free from her vehicle and suffered multiple life-threatening injuries, including damage to her brain.

Alaw spent three months in hospital, including five weeks in intensive care but says the real challenge began when she left hospital and was no longer under specialist care.

Speaking to Radio Fa’ma presenters Tara Bethan and Kristopher Hughes, Alaw said: “It was actually quite a safe period as I was under such special care although it was difficult and challenging for those around me.

“The challenges came when I came out of that bubble and had to start living again. I wasn’t walking, I broke both my feet and had to learn to walk on crutches to begin with and then sticks and a lot of physio.

“But the care in hospital and thereafter helped me to be strong to get me to the right place to heal.”

She continued: “The accident turned my life upside down.”

Despite having to rebuild her life after the crash, Alaw chooses to focus on the positives and wants to help others to do the same.

“Now I can’t do the things I used to do. But if I think about everything negatively then there is no point so we have to look forward,” she said.

“I’m still going and getting better. I have learned so much over the past three years and I wouldn’t be who I am without that experience because of the impact of the brain injury.

“But I am now ready to push the reset button and start a new chapter in my life.”

She accepts that life will never be the same, but she wants to encourage others who may be struggling to harness their mental strength.

Alaw has set up Welsh-language website Nerth dy Ben (Your Strength of Mind) to encourage others who are dealing with trauma to focus on their mindset.

“We established Nerth dy Ben when we realised that we have the ability to concentrate on our strengths and not on our weaknesses, and that it is something that we carry with us every day, sometimes without realising or acknowledging it,” Alaw said.

“We all have a strength of mind, and Nerth dy Ben is a space to unite and encourage people to ignite those powers that we carry with us every day, and to own and concentrate on those elements which make us unique. “It is currently an online platform at www.nerthdyben.cymru and on the website I have posted contributions from different people who talk about what they do to keep their mental strength strong. “It gives people space to realize their strengths.

“It focuses on what people can do rather than what people can’t do,” she added.

Speaking to Radio Fama presenters Tara Bethan and Kristopher Hughes, Alaw said that she is now campaigning to promote and raise awareness of the power and influence of the mind.

Alaw’s full Radio Fa’ma interview will be broadcast on S4C at 9m on Tuesday, December 20.

English subtitles will be available and the programme can also be watched later on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms.

My life will never be the same again but I can only look forwards