ALMOST a year ago 24-year-old trainee teacher Lizzie Grubb was in a coma after nearly losing her life in an horrific accident on the way to college.When she woke up she discovered she was unable to walk or even talk, and had suffered bleeding in her brain developing problems similar to a stroke victim.

ALMOST a year ago 24-year-old trainee teacher Lizzie Grubb was in a coma after nearly losing her life in an horrific accident on the way to college.

When she woke up she discovered she was unable to walk or even talk, and had suffered bleeding in her brain developing problems similar to a stroke victim.

Today, Miss Grubb, from Woodbridge, still has a weak left side, but after less than 12 months of treatment, she has made an amazing recovery following the accident in October.

She initially needed help to get from her bed into a chair but is now able to walk again after hours of practice on parallel bars, can talk normally after help from speech and language therapists and is resuming her studies this month to be a teacher.

She was just three weeks into her course, studying for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at York, when the accident happened near Thirsk. She will now restart her course at the college on September 17.

Miss Grubb, a former Farlingaye High School, said: “I do not remember the accident completely and am missing three weeks of my life, but I had lost control of my vehicle and ended up on the other side of the road and got hit by a van coming in the other direction.

“I stopped breathing at the scene and could have lost my life very easily. I spent six weeks in hospital and then came home to be with my mum and dad.”

Miss Grubb was referred to the Icanho Centre in Stowmarket, a day centre which provides long-term care for adults recovering from brain injuries.

She said: “Icanho were absolutely amazing and got me to a point where I felt able to start my life again.

“Everybody is amazed by my progress, but it was a case of having to get on with it. My parents were wonderful, so supportive, and just fantastic. I just want to thank everyone who has been there for me.”