STORY ABOUT NOT GIVING UP
SIAN spoke to the Mercury in 2020 about her story and the process of making a film about it.
For five years after being injured, Sian kept a video diary. She said: “It was triggering at first, but as the years went by with filming, it got easier for me.”
Sharing her story led to her meeting other amputees and people who wanted to share their own experiences with her.
The confidence gained from her diary and eventually setting up her charity, the Sian Green Foundation, helped her to start speaking in public about her experience.
“I was a fashion student and that’s naturally where I thought my life was going to go. But, because all this happened, it was like I just had to change direction.
“I never thought I would be public speaking. It’s strange how much I’ve changed.”
A significant part of Sian’s story is her fight for justice. She filed a lawsuit against the city of New York for $27.5 million (£17 million).
The claim alleged the taxi driver should not have been driving due to a temporary ban which a computer glitch had prevented the Taxi & Limousine Commission from imposing.
It was not until six years later that Sian won the legal battle and was awarded $150,000.
“There were no official charges pressed against the cab driver - he was banned from driving for 30 days,” Sian said. “It was a bit of a slap on the wrist and that was it.”
A couple of years after the incident, filmmakers Wayne and Matt managed to interview Himon.
Wayne said the cabbie “really wanted to meet Sian, supposedly to apologise”.
But in his opinion, in the interview, which will feature in the documentary, “you don’t really sense there was much contrition”.
In response to the footage, Sian said: “I was definitely angry at first, but I didn’t get an apology from the beginning.
“Even when it happened, he wasn’t putting out there that he was really sorry, so I kind of made my bed with it and forgot about it.”
Director Matt said: “From the minute we met her it was obvious she’s not going to be someone who gives up.
“We saw her getting stronger and kind of healing.
“She has worked really hard to get where she is now – it’s a story that deserves to be told.”