TEENAGER Laurie Squirrell is today preparing to make an emotional return to the Buckinghamshire hospital where she spent months recovering from a horrific motocross accident.

TEENAGER Laurie Squirrell is today preparing to make an emotional return to the Buckinghamshire hospital where she spent months recovering from a horrific motocross accident.

Laurie will return to the specialist hospital in Stoke Mandeville on Tuesday for three weeks of intensive physiotherapy where she will be reunited with the medical experts who treated her after she broke her back.

Despite not looking forward to the return, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the former Stowmarket High School student who will be free to start work when she leaves hospital.

She has been given a full-time position at the Ipswich-based motocross clothing company So-Cal, owned by family friends Guy Nicholls and Shaun Avery.

The 17-year-old, of Hitcham, spent nearly four months in the hospital after a high-speed accident on a motocross bike in November last year left her with a “one in a million” chance of walking again.

At the time she was practising in San Antonio, Texas, for her first professional race.

Laurie said: "The physio will involve lots of stretching, lifting to get me stronger, and teaching me different skills in my wheelchair.

"I'm supposed to do physio every day at home but it's time to step it up and I need a physiotherapist there to help and encourage me.

"It seems such a long time ago when I left.

"I know it's for the best but because I spent so long there and it holds bad memories I don't really want to go back.

"Since I've been at home I've put everything to one side and have been leading a normal life. When I'm in hospital it brings home the fact that I'm in a wheelchair."

"At least I have work to look forward to."

Laurie, who lives with her father Richard, mother Julie, sisters Samantha and Kizzy, and pet Dalmatian Pongo, passed her driving test in her specially modified Mini last month.

Her home, where the family coach business is based, has been adapted for her needs. A garage has been turned into a new bedroom and bathroom and a lift has been installed.

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