A Northern Ireland gymnastics champion who broke her neck in a freak accident during a somersault has spoken of her determination to walk again. Jennifer Smyth, 20, from County Derry, was practising a handspring front somersault at a gym in Campsie, Eglinton, when the landing went wrong, leaving her paralysed from the neck down.
The accident occurred three and a half years ago, and since then Jennifer has been on a gruelling recovery journey. Surgeons at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast saved her life, but she has since required extensive physiotherapy and specialist equipment. She now has feeling in her legs, can move her arms, and her hands have improved significantly.
Jennifer is now seeking public help to fund her ongoing rehabilitation. The costs are substantial: physiotherapy sessions three times a week, an Ekso skeleton walking frame at £100 per hour, Bioness electrical stimulation equipment costing around £20,000, and a personal Eksoskeleton would set her back £100,000.
Despite the challenges, Jennifer remains optimistic. 'From the moment I woke up after surgery on my spine I planned to get back to the gym,' she said. 'I’ve never lost faith that I will walk again.' She credits her positive outlook and the support of family, friends, and her community for her progress.
Jennifer admits she finds it difficult to ask for financial help, but says it is necessary to continue her recovery. 'I hate asking for this type of help, but I need to be able to pay for the physiotherapy and equipment that have got me this far,' she explained.
