My million-step journey of recovery
Zara Dyer almost lost her life in a catastrophic car crash that left her unable to walk. Now she’s on an epic trek across Britain to raise money for charity. She tells us her story
Six years ago, Zara Dyer was living a dream life. She was working as a scuba instructor with her boyfriend Ian in the warm waters off Grand Cayman in the Caribbean.
Then catastrophe struck. While driving her car, Zara suffered a seizure, causing her to collide with a wall.
The crash left her fighting for her life and unable to walk.
But today, after making a truly miraculous recovery, she’s nearing the end of a challenge that has seen her walk the width of Britain, in aid of her charity, 3 Million Steps, which supports brain injury patients.
“Before the crash in 2016, life was perfect. I lived in a beautiful place with the man I love doing my favourite thing for a job,” says Zara, 35, who lives with partner Ian, 53, in Lowestoft, Suffolk. “Then it all came tumbling down.” She says her memory of the accident is limited.
“Immediately before, my body went stiff down one side and I couldn’t control it as my right foot slammed down on the accelerator,” she says.
“I don’t remember the impact. The next thing I knew it was the next day and I was being airlifted to Miami.”
It was touch and go whether Zara would survive.
“I had a broken neck and complete paralysis down my right side. Ian was warned I was probably going to die,” says Zara. “In the weeks afterwards, I suffered six brain bleeds, which made things worse.”
But amazingly Zara survived. She was in hospital for a month, before she was allowed to return to Britain.
Once home she was admitted to a rehabilitation centre for intensive therapy. She couldn’t swallow or talk, and could only shuffle a few steps using a zimmer frame.
“I felt as if I were dragging a great weight behind me, and I would be exhausted after a few metres,” she says.
“But I didn’t feel frustrated. I was just glad to be walking at all. Somehow I was always able to stay positive mentally.”
Over the next nine months, she worked determinedly at her physio, with Ian at her side. By the time she left the centre, she could eat normally again, was talking fluently, and could walk using a leg brace. Today her recovery continues, and she still has balance issues. Ian is her full-time carer.
So it is no mean feat that the couple are currently taking on a 500 mile walk – or one million steps – from St David’s in West Wales, to Lowestoft. It’s hoped the epic journey, which began on May 4 and is expected to end next week, will raise more than £10,000.
This is Zara’s second fundraising walk. The first, in 2019, from John O’Groats to Lands End, was 1,064 miles and took five months. “This time the walk is shorter, but more challenging. The coastal footpaths are uneven, which is very difficult for me.
“Three years ago, I couldn’t have managed on that sort of terrain, so we stuck to roads and pavements. But with practice and effort, my walking has gradually improved.”
Zara and Ian are walking up to 12 miles a day, taking a rest every fourth day. They eat and sleep in their support van.
“We’re taking an indirect route to stop and talk to community groups about my story of brain injury and recovery. And we’re welcoming walkers to join us for some miles along the way,” she says. Zara’s balance issues have made things tricky. “On the Welsh coastal footpaths, I kept getting distracted by the sight of rolling waves and surfers. Before the accident, I loved surfing. But now, because of balance issues, every time I lifted my eyes from the path to watch the surfers, I’d trip and fall over. Ian was terrified I would topple off a cliff.” Zara and Ian have been supported with transport and donations from volunteers from the Lions Clubs International. “I hope the walk will raise awareness of brain injury. And the timing feels strangely right, coming as it does after Covid and the pandemic,” says Zara. “Because many people are now suffering from Long Covid, with symptoms similar to brain injury, including chronic fatigue and the loss of smell and taste, people are more understanding about what it’s like, living with a brain injury and the long recovery afterwards.”
Zara’s charity 3 Millions Steps provides specialist help and equipment for people suffering acquired brain injury (ABI) – including stroke, brain tumours, seizures, hypoxia and traumatic brain injuries through accidents.
According to the charity Headway, there are around 350,000 admissions to UK hospitals with ABI as a result of accidents or illness every year. And ABI admissions in the UK have
‘‘ When I lifted my eyes from the path, I’d trip. Ian was terrified I’d fall off a cliff
‘‘ There’s more understanding as Long Covid has symptoms similar to brain injury
increased by 10 per cent in the past decade. So support, Zara says, is vital.
“This challenge is about my own recovery, but also to show that recovery from ABI is not over when the NHS funding finishes – it’s a very long process, and ongoing,” she says.
“I’m living proof that rehab really does work. To go from where I once was to walking the length and width of Britain is just incredible. I hope it will inspire others by showing how much can be achieved.”
Zara and Ian have been together for 13 years after meeting through their shared hobby of scuba diving.
“Since my accident, our relationship has been tested, but now it feels like we have come out the other side, stronger than ever. I am so grateful to Ian for his love and support, he has been by my side all the way – I couldn’t have done it without him,” says Zara.
After this she’s excited to hang her walking boots up for the time being.
“I’ll just be taking things one step and one day at a time.”