Mary - One Year On

by Peter Bowers, Mary's Father.

Looking back to a year ago, I can vividly remember sitting at the Gate at Madrid airport on the day of Mary's accident waiting to fly back home. My wife Elizabeth, had eventually managed to contact me that afternoon and told me that Mary had been involved in a serious accident, but I had no idea as to how badly she had been hurt.

Seeing the severity of her injuries, I still cannot understand how she managed to survive. This must be down to  the incredible skills of the Royal London Hospital staff, the prayers from her family and friends and Mary's own amazing determination. I have been and continue to be so proud of all the things she has achieved in her first 26 years.

Most of the next two months were spent living at the Royal London  Hospital in Whitechapel in intensive care or in the waiting room - nothing could be taken for granted particularly  during the dark days following her emergency brain surgery. There were many days when we thought we would loose her, but Mary's fighting spirit kept her with us.

Out of all this there are bright spots:

The love, strength, kindness and loyalty of her family and many friends from all over the world.

The compassion of the emergency services and the woman who held Mary's hand until they arrived.

The overwhelming support from News International.

The Times "Cities Fit for Cycling" which I am sure has already saved lives through increased awareness of how vulnerable cyclists are. We are, and Mary would be, very proud that this is in her name.

The care Mary has received from the Royal London Hospital, The Royal Hospital for Neuro disabillity at Putney, and now the Homerton University Hospital.

Thank you all.

Mary has had to endure so much over the last year. She continues to make very slow progress, but there are small improvements and we are looking forward to a time when she will be able to communicate with us.