Welcome Kirsty and Sam

Kirsty and Samantha - too early for a couple of students apparently

Kirsty and Sam arrived with us today. Kirsty, at 21, is the elder of our two granddaughters. Sam is her friend. It is important to have Kirsty with us from time to time to test the tolerance levels of the generations.She is a lovely girl but in common with many of her age, she talks incessantly and is largely beyond the comprehension of we old 'uns. Apart from a head of hair the colour of which is rarely seen outisde a French Ladies' Sexagenarian Convention, a large tattoo in the small of her back, a miniature sort of dumbell thing stuck through her tongue (which she plays with constantly) and a quarter carat sparkling 'zit' on the side of her nose, she is, seemingly, unremarkable - by today's standards of course.

Miss Bionics 2011

She is, however, a very remarkable young lady.

Two years ago last November, whilst waiting for a train to take her to work in Reading, she fainted on the platform and fell under the oncoming train. A really horrific accident which left her hospitalised for months having had her lower right arm amputated and the rest of her body pretty broken up. Val and I were on holiday in Southern Spain when we had the call from younger daughter Kerrie (Kirsty's aunt) to tell us what had happened.

The long drive back to the UK
Having driven home to Margon, we changed bags and set off in the car, driving overnight to the UK, to be there. This is the kind of thing that only happens to other people of course and we were in a state of some shock all the way back. Not knowing what to find when we got there we inevitably feared the worst.We arrived barely 48 hours after the incident to find her laying in traction, surrounded by a dozen friends and family, and chatting happily to them all whilst answering innumerable well-wishing text messages with her 'wrong' hand. I could have done with some of whatever she was on right then, I can tell you.

In the ensuing 30 months, she has made, virtually, a full recover, not just physically (apart from her arm and some occasional pelvic pain) and learned to write with her left hand. At least we have that much in common. Most extraordinary is her mental recovery, the aspect about which I was most concerned, I am bound to say. I would not have thought her achievements possible in such a short time and we are all in awe of her powers of recovery. She is now training as a counsellor for young trauma vistims. She's an amazing girl. She still talks too much though. 

Samantha - future social worker

Sam is lovely too. She has just finished her first year of her degree course in soical work. She'll get plenty of practice in Bracknell, her home town. Having just met her today, it is difficult to comment other than to say she seems a very sensible and pleasant young lady. I'll know more in a week but they are both 'As welcome as the flowers in May' as they say.

Cherry picking tomorrow, ooooh!