Saturday, November 24, 2012

Skydive plans for ex-glamour model paralysed by clubber

by Syma Mohammed

A former glamour model who was left completely paralysed after a tragic accident will be skydiving for charity in March.

Lorraine Mack, 38, of De Beauvoir Town, was left immobile from the neck down after a man who had taken ecstasy and alcohol fell on her head from a balcony during a night out with friends in central London in 2004.

The brave woman will be jumping from the sky to raise money for a spinal research.

[ Lolly’s Skidive for Spinal Research: http://www.justgiving.com/Lolly-Mack ]

She said: “I’m trying to raise as much money as possible for spinal research. There are a lot of positive things happening in terms of research and clinical trials.

“I’m very positive that in time a cure will be found. My goal is to get on my feet and get my independence back.”

Paralysis

Prior to the accident, her career was taking off and she had appeared in The Sun, News of the World, FHM magazine and MTV. She recounts the night that changed her life, saying: “We went to a nightclub and a man fell from a balcony above me.

“He was 17 stone and landed on my head. My spinal cord was compressed and that’s what caused the complete paralysis.”

She spent 10 months in hospital, but said there was a lack of support once she left hospital.

Ms Mack continued: “My main thing was to stay fit and healthy. Exercise was a big part of my life. My family all made a commitment to fight this and try everything to get me on my feet again.”

With help from her family she bought a functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike, standing frame and the power plate, which has helped transform her life. She said: “The standing frame improves circulation, bone density and breathing. The power plate is a vibrating plate and helps to improve blood circulation and massages the limbs. The FES bike works out my arms and legs and prevents muscle wastage.”

Since her accident, she has regained some movement in her arms, and some feelings in her toes through using this equipment.

She added: Now I’ve got the use of my arms, I can do things like go on Facebook. I can do my make-up.

“I can feel my toe on my right foot. They are small things but they are big improvements.”

Positive

She said a positive attitude helped get her through, saying: “I’ve never been a negative person. I look forward. I have such a good support network.

“The only positive thing that has come out of this is the number of courageous people I have met. I have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Cureforsci?fref=ts with 5,000 people from around the world who have different injuries.

“I try to give them advice. Even if I’m helping one person, then that’s worth it.”

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/skydive_plans_for_ex_glamour_model_paralysed_by_clubber_1_1707510#.ULOC8be-U1I.facebook