I WAS IN A COMA NINE MONTHS AGO
LESS than a year ago, Mandy Draper was in a coma on the verge of dying, after being knocked off her bike cycling home from work. Now she’s defied doctors who said she would never run again by training to take part in a marathon later this year – and says she will never take life for granted again.
Mandy, 51, who was born in Birmingham but now lives in Pembroke, suffered head injuries, a punctured lung, broken ribs, a broken wrist and broke her back in two places after the accident.
Following complications from spinal surgery, doctors decided to place her in a coma and her family were told to fear the worst.
Against all odds, Mandy made an astonishing recovery and now plans to run the Birmingham International Marathon.
“Since that day I have been grateful for every new day and will never take life for granted again,” she said.
“The doctors said it was only because of my extreme fitness that I sur- vived. One said he had never seen anyone survive what I went through.”
Talking about the accident, she said: “Luckily for me it all happened so quickly and all I remember is the car coming towards me, and then being woken in the ambulance.
“I was later airlifted to Morriston Hospital where it was discovered I had sustained horrific injuries. The handle bars pierced my left thigh, just missing the main artery and my back was broken in two places.
“I have to say a special thank-you to the Wales Air Ambulance and the surgeons for saving my leg, fixing my arm and back.
“I was still hoping to go and see my son the following month in Australia; however, just hours after having a spinal fusion, I took a turn for the worse. I had clots on my heart and lungs and was whisked to ICU and put on a life support machine. I spent a couple of days fighting for my life.”
The accident happened four days after last year’s Great Birmingham Run half marathon in October, an event Mandy first took on in 2011.
She said: “I took up running in 2010 when my late mother was diagnosed with cancer. I found running really helped me escape and cope with the pain.
“In the summer of 2011 I remember whispering in her ear before she died ‘I will run a marathon in your memory’ and I will never forget the smile on her face.
“Since running my first half I have also completed 60 full marathons, numerous sportives for different charities, triathlons home and abroad and, most recently, after learning to swim only 12 months before, I took part in the Ironman Wales for my 50th birthday for charity Macmillan.
“It has been a long, painful road to recovery, and I still have a long way to go but, thanks to my physio and my titanium spine, I am happy to say I am back running.”