Olivia Stimpson

Olivia was a talented netball player, & toured Australia with her team 2 years ago. A very sporty girl, who hoped to pursue a career in sport. However, last year on 7.5.10, she was in a car which crashed at 60mph, into a tree. Her best friend, Jack, was killed in the crash, & died on her lap at the scene. Olivia (& the 2 other occupants of the car) were seriously injured. They were airlifted to Charing Cross hospital.Olivia underwent an operation to insert a metal rod into her smashed femur bone. She was in hospital for 3 weeks - she spent her 18th birthday there & missed her A level exams. Despite terrible pain, she attended Jack's funeral in her wheelchair.She remained upbeat & insisted upon being wheeled to visit the other back-seat passenger to cheer him up. She has undergone a punishing physiotherapy regime, which has enabled her to walk with a barely discernable limp. She faces a future operation.The mental scars of the crash & the loss of her friend have been the hardest for her to bear. Nevertheless, she has spent the past year in support of Jack's family, especially his younger brother Steven. Going through the anniversary of the crash earlier this month was extremely difficult for her, the family & friends. She has a tattoo for Jack on her hip & has persuaded friends to do the same. Olivia is now working towards the A levels she missed, which she retakes in June. She has changed her career goal to becoming a paramedic, following her experiences. She is amazing!