TO TRAVEL THE WORLD
exercise instructors take Ruth through a series of activities to help her maintain her mobility and exercise her muscles and joints.
She explained: “My surgeon told me ‘You have defied every rule in the book. I can’t believe it.’
“I’ve had to do more work on my leg and my foot, and I’m going for a soft tissue operation which will help me to walk normally again.”
After intense physical rehab, Ruth realised she had never addressed the emotional impacts of the trauma she had been through.
Prior to the crash, she would use walking as a means of dealing with mental difficulties, but having been unable to go for long walks since the accident, she realised she had to find other ways of working through problems.
“I walked for years, I’ve done all of the Munros,” explained Ruth.
“Until recently I didn’t have a coping mechanism so I started to see a therapist last September and it has been difficult.
“It’s like climbing Everest. I kind of got stuck at that very difficult bit very near the top, it’s called the Hillary Step.
“I would say in the last six weeks I’ve done it now, I’ve got over that. Life has changed.”
Ruth said staying positive, and retaining a sense of humour, have been vital to her miraculous recovery.
She said: “You have to stay positive. I feel so privileged to have a second chance and not many people get that. I’ve had it and I want to make the best of it.
“I’ve started walking again. I did 6km on Sunday and the same the week before.
I’m going to build it up and get back out walking again.
“I’m also going to China later this year and the Arctic to look for polar bears.
“I would say to anyone that they can do it, if I can.
“The key is to never forget your sense of humour.”