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, including physiotherapy and seeing specialists at the Stowmarket-based brain rehabilitation centre Icanho, she has made an amazing recovery.

The courageous graduate 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, has worked to develop her stamina, 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, who studied for her first degree at Durham University and a Masters degree at York, said: “Last October I was on my way to college and had a car accident.

“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, developed by the John Grooms Association for Disabled People as a day centre providing long-term care for adults recovering from brain injuries where she was assessed and had physiotherapy, speech, language and occupational therapy.

She said: “Icanho were absolutely amazing and got me to a point where I felt able to start my life again. It was a fairly grim accident and I have had to learn to talk 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.”

Her father Malcolm Grubb, praised the centre for the way they supported his daughter.

He said: “Fortunately, and we gather amazingly, Lizzie has made an almost full recovery.

“She returned home to mum and dad and it was very helpful to have Icanho where she could receive the various treatments that she required all at the same venue.”

Miss Grubb believes her life was saved by her seatbelt and is now giving talks at schools about road safety, to try to save others going through such an ordeal.