A woman from School Aycliffe who suffered catastrophic injuries in a cycling crash in 2017, has written a letter to her former self, to highlight the long-term and complex recovery thousands of people face each year after suffering life-changing injuries.
Melanie Varley, who has competed at the World Triathlon Championships with the Great Britain Age-Group Team, was out cycling on a group ride on a steep downhill on the B6275 near Darlington, when another rider lost control of their bike, sending her flying from her bike.
Melanie spent five days in hospital with injuries including a fractured spine, multiple right shoulder fractures, a collapsed lung and nerve damage. But she spent years recovering from her broken bones and a mild brain injury she sustained in the crash.
She is among a group of major trauma survivors who have written letters to their former selves as part of a new campaign launched for charity Day One Trauma Support’s Major Trauma Awareness Week.
In moving videos and letters available to watch and read online, the ‘Dear me’ campaign gives an honest and enlightening glimpse into what it’s like coping with life-changing injuries and an inspiring insight into rebuilding life after major trauma.
The road to recovery is one that Melanie is still on. Due to her injuries, she has had to give up her business as a self-employed osteopath. But her physiotherapy and rehabilitation means she has begun taking part in aquathlons once more and has been selected to represent the GB age-group team at the European Championships.
In her letter, Melanie, now 57, has drawn attention to the lack of support, particularly finding the right legal support, that she received at the time of the accident and now volunteers with charity Day One Trauma Support. As a peer support volunteer, she is there for others who have experienced life-changing injuries, something she would have found beneficial at the time.
Dear Melanie,
It’s now seven years since another rider crashed into you at high speed.
As an osteopath you knew that you were lucky you hadn’t been killed or paralysed. You were a strong, determined, fit woman, who had represented GB at the age group World Triathlon Championships. Most importantly you were wife to Peter, mother to William and India, and ran your own business.
PTSD, sleep and fatigue issues were horrible. A lengthy legal case and finding the right legal support until you had all the right people fighting your corner. Dealing with the DWP was horrendous. Being told that you were fit for work, when you and other medics knew this wasn’t the case. Having a strong work ethic, and wanting to return to work, you were upset that you knew you couldn’t.
Your loss of your business and your role as an osteopath helping people was massive. One of the worst parts is that you’ve had to leave your triathlon club and the sport you love so much.
You recall feeling lonely and isolated for the first time in your life. You wanted people to understand how you were feeling, but how could they? This was your journey You felt you needed to be in a support group, where you could talk to people who had similar experiences to you, but you didn’t know of one.
You weren’t super woman, just human.
Your darling husband, children, family and friends were on the journey with you. They were worried for you. You finally received a full year of rehabilitation with an amazing team. This team, with your new solicitor, understood you and where you needed to get to.
The journey should have been easier. You’d been let down. And you still get angry about what we have been put through as a family.
In 2024 you discover Day One Trauma Support. You always said you didn’t want anyone to have to go through the journey as you did, and you want to help people on their journey and make a difference. Now you are doing this and making a difference. It’s the end of term, and this is your report to yourself.
Well done, Melanie, you survived and have got to this stage. Life is so precious, and everything can change in a split second.
You still have more work to do, but keep moving forward and embrace everything life has to offer you. New beginnings are on the horizon.
Best wishes, Melanie