Crash girl is back home
A“ROLE model” schoolgirl is back home having undergone more than 40 hours of surgery after getting hit by a car last year.
Olivia Hill was left with a severe open fracture on her leg after a reversing car ran her over on December 29, 2020, while she was walking to her Bacup home after playing in the snow.
Jenny Hill, Olivia’s mum, said that her daughter’s leg was almost “hanging off” at the time of the accident and the 11-year-old subsequently spent several weeks in hospital.
After more than 40 hours of surgery, across four major operations, Olivia is finally back home and getting around the house with the aid of a walking frame.
It may be more than 12 months before Olivia, who is an award winning dancer, is back to normal, but her mum is hopeful.
The 36-year-old said: “When it first happened I didn’t think the worst because I didn’t realise how bad it was; until we got to the hospital.
“Then it did cross my mind that she might lose her leg which obviously worried me. But then the messages that were flooding in were saying that Olivia has me to look at as a role model and that I’ve been through so much so she will come through anything. I’m just happy that she is home, it makes it a lot easier for us both. The worst bit is over now; we are just trying to get her back to some normality.”
Olivia is a talented and passionate dancer who travels around Britain taking part in competitions and shows with the Bacup group Dansworks.
While Jenny originally feared that her daughter may never dance again she was given a boost by surgeons in the days before Olivia was discharged.
The mum-of-one said: “The surgeons have said that she will definitely walk again and probably dance again. But it will take a long time; we will know more after February 12 when she goes for a check-up.
“It will take 12 to 18 months before she is up and about properly but, Olivia being Olivia, she will find a way to dance somehow, she will get around it.”
Jenny continues to care for Olivia at home who will not be allowed to weight bear on her leg for several months.
Parents and students at Olivia’s Dansworks have set up a fundraising page to support the 11-year-old.
You can donate by visiting gofundme.com and searching for ‘Olivia’s Dansworks Family’.