A 32-year-old woman who lost the use of her legs following a motorcycle accident during the summer is more than ever determined to enjoy life to the full, despite the challenges she faces.
"We realize how life is hanging by a thread. We must take advantage of every moment, with each person, "says Vanessa Plouffe, a journalist who met at the Gingras-Lindsay Rehabilitation Institute in Montreal, just three months after the accident.
On June 22, Ms. Plouffe's life changed when she lost control of the motorcycle she was driving on her way to La Cabane-Ronde in Mascouche, causing her incurable injuries. According to a neighbor, the wrong configuration of the road could explain the accident (see other text).
"What I remember is that my handlebars rocked from left to right, and I was on the shoulder. Then, nothing: black, "says Vanessa Plouffe.
"Or the bike caught me in flight, or I climbed so high to fall directly on the back," adds one who relies on the story of witnesses of the scene, because it keeps almost none memory.
Because of the shock, the motorcyclist had a few separate vertebrae and suffered several fractures, including a dozen to the spine. Her spinal cord was also affected, which made her paraplegic.
"In spite of that, I consider myself lucky. I could also have lost the use of my arms. I could have done it, "says the immunology analyst.
If the first hours after the accident were particularly painful, Vanessa Plouffe assures that she has quickly recovered.
"My boyfriend offered me lots of new activities. It was there that I realized that life could be so beautiful. From day 2, I said yes, it'll be rough, but it'll be fine, "she recalls.
Today, she thanks every day life to always be of this world.
"You have to have gratitude for life. I say thank you for everything: thank you for the time I spend with my boyfriend; thank you for the shared meal with my mother; thank you because today it's sunny, "she said with a smile.
"I was a very positive person, who saw the glass half full, but even more so now," says the one who still knows more difficult moments.
She even believes that this tragedy will allow her to seize happiness even more tangibly.
"To have lost my legs is an obstacle to happiness. But it's happening. Happiness will not be smaller, maybe it will be bigger, because I will be through a test, "she says.
Twenty accidents at the same place
A citizen of Mascouche, who lives near the curve where the young woman had his motorcycle accident, said he had recorded more than twenty road trips since August 2018.
"Every time I leave home, I'm afraid of being hit. I find it dangerous, "says Claude Leveille, who has lived on Cabane-Ronde Road for 42 years.
"People who have had motorcycle crashes on my land, there have been a lot," he added.
Without witnessing the accident, Mr. Leveille saw Vanessa Plouffe lying on the ground a few minutes after her loss of control.
"She was in front of me, on my back. At first, as she did not move, I thought she must be dead, "he said.
According to him, the curve where Ms. Plouffe had her accident was poorly drawn, especially because the roadway is tilted outwards, rather than inwards.
For its part, the City of Mascouche said it recently commissioned an engineering firm to look into the design of this curve.
"We have not (yet) obtained the results of the analysis so far. They will allow us to judge the necessary corrections to make or not, "said Isabelle Gagne, spokeswoman for the City.
The City also confirmed that eight accidents requiring the intervention of the helpers took place in this curve. In an attempt to improve the situation, road signs have been changed there.
"This signage includes suggested speed signs at 30 km / h as well as a sign indicating a risk of skidding," said Ms. Gagne.
Without having the intention for the moment to launch proceedings against the City, Vanessa Plouffe is thinking of setting up a petition to force her to move. "If I make a request and the City does not act, then I will be angry. I'll go to the front, "she says.
"There was a serious accident. In my opinion, they can not leave it that way. "
Source link
https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2019/10/14/toujours-heureuse-malgre-un-grave-accident-de-moto-1
