Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) is set to receive an unexpected offer of help on Coronation Street. The troubled teen has been struggling since a stroke stripped her of her independence and left her future uncertain.
Betsy's life was turned upside down when she collapsed at home after suffering a stroke, caused by a blood clot resulting from neck artery damage. The incident happened after she tried consensual strangulation during sex with Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne).
The stroke has affected her ability to speak clearly and her mobility, leaving her reliant on twenty-four-seven care from her mums, Carla and Lisa Connor-Swain (Alison King and Vicky Myers). Her best friends, like Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton), treat her as if she is wrapped in cotton wool.
Future dreams in jeopardy
Prior to the accident, Betsy had planned to study fashion in London and had big catwalk dreams. Now her condition makes the chance of attending college seem increasingly bleak.
Despite physical progress, Betsy continues to have ups and downs. An outing to the Bistro with Lauren recently led to a mortifying moment when she accidentally knocked over cutlery, leading Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) to suggest that a mortified Betsy was drunk.
However, her friends and neighbours have stepped in to offer support. Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) has treated her to a manicure to cheer her up, while Sally Metcalf (Sally Dynevor) showed Carla a website for a fashion course at a local college that might suit Betsy. Carla thought it was a great idea and organised some fashion work experience for her step-daughter at Underworld.
An unlikely ally
Betsy is due a down day in upcoming episodes as she heads to work at the factory, hoping to get some practice before her college interview. It is far from plain sailing as she struggles at her machine, but Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) offers to help her.
This is particularly significant as Sean is Dylan's father and has previously refused to accept that his son could be responsible for her injury, going so far as to suggest that she must have cheated.
The next day, Lisa accompanies a nervous Betsy to her college interview. Whether Betsy will be ready for this next step remains to be seen.
