‘I booked a holiday with my £1,255 win’
An accident left Kelly Lewis, 72, needing some me-time
It was meant to be the holiday of a lifetime. My husband Tony, 72, and I had been planning a two-week break to Tenerife in December 2016.
With less than a week to go, we were so excited. It was all I could talk about to my friends in the chat rooms of Woman’s Own Bingo. I’d been a player for six years by then, and Woman’s Own Bingo was by far my favourite site.
In the run-up to my big holiday I hadn’t been able to play much because of an eye infection. I’d been given medication, but the Saturday before we were due to fly, I began feeling drowsy and sick. I went to the bathroom, but quickly lost consciousness.
At the hospital I received shocking news – I had to use a wheelchair from now on. As I’d fallen I’d hit my back on the radiator and broke six vertebrae. My whole life had been changed, but Tony refused to let me dwell and helped me focus on getting better. Soon, I could be wheeled into the garden to enjoy breakfast with Tony, like we used to. I even started playing bingo again. Being part of the lively community was what I liked best. Everyone was so kind, sending me lovely messages. In May 2017, I was playing in Emerald. My game had been going very well and suddenly, my screen flashed – I’d won £1,255! I knew exactly what I wanted – a holiday!
We booked a stay in a nice hotel in Harrogate for August. We’ve also bought some comfy garden furniture, so I can sit out in our garden. Now, almost two years after my fall, I’m regaining my independence. It makes all the difference being able to do some of the things I used to before my accident and getting my life back.