Rose is 16 years old and when she was very young she survived a horrific accident. Its impact is still visible to this day...
Rose's Story
I learnt how to ride a bike when I was about 7 or 8 years old, which is a little later than most kids. However, after what happened to me, I wish I'd never learnt at all.
A couple of weeks later after I'd first learnt, my mum's boyfriend, Mike, took me on a bike ride around the villages near our house. On the route there was a really steep hill, which I had no problem with at first.
Everything was different on the way back down the hill though. It suddenly felt loads steeper and I lost control - I went down the hill at top speed, terrified for my life. I crashed into the barrier at the bottom of the hill which had huge spikes on top and flew over my handlebars.
My coat saved my life
Mike quickly rushed down to see if I was ok. I was wearing a big puffy coat but my chest was really painful, so I took my coat off to see what the problem was.
Mike's face went white when he saw that I'd ripped the skin on the right side of my chest so that it was just a flap of skin. I was bleeding heavily and you could see about 3cm of rib bone. It turned out that the big puffy coat had saved my life.
I was taken to my mum's work by a local who we've known since we moved into the area. From there my mum took me to the hospital and I went straight into A&E.
Some names have been changed.
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Hospital
I needed an operation to sew the skin on my chest back up. Well I couldn't exactly be walking around with a piece of my chest wide open!
After a fairly short operation I had to stay in hospital for a couple of days. Pizza and ice cream for 3 days. Yum! I had to go back for quite a few check ups and the whole experience has been really painful for me.
The scars are still there
As I got older and my breasts first started to develop, my skin began pulling on the scar because scar tissue doesn't stretch. This means that the breast on my damaged side is now 2 sizes smaller than the undamaged side. Also I can't do exercise for very long as the inside of my chest is slightly damaged and I have trouble breathing sometimes.
I still have to go into hospital to help with the stretching of my scar and to help with my breasts' development.
Since the accident we have put in a proposal for the council to lower the spikes on the barrier and we're hopeful that they'll listen.
My self-confidence hasn't been dented too much at the moment, and I'm determined to stay positive through whatever else comes my way.
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Jade, 13
I was practically writhing in pain at the spikes part, so I REALLY don't know how Rose managed LIVING through it!Incredibly brave in my eyes! =]
K8, 12
I don't know how the coucil couldn't listen after your story, they should remove the spikes altogether. Best of luck!xx
Lilian, 14
OMG hunny that must have been soo horrid. you tell those people in the council who os boss!!!!u go girl
Lily, 13
Wow, you're really lucky. The same thing happened to me, but not so bad - I fell down this big hole onto some glass bottles and would have been really hurt if it wasn't for my puffy coat. They rule!
Katie, 13
Aww... You r really Brave..And also Well done to your coat..cz tha accident cd av bin mre serious :S
Brittany, 13
wow you are so brave to put up with seeing that scar everyday! I am proud of you and you should always were that puffy coat :)x
sabha, 14
ur really lucky. i had a similar acciedent to that ones but near my stomach area. i have a big scar and i used to get bullied alot about it . but i think positive asnd use scar repairex cream. the scar is fading but my memories arent. good luck for the future.
jess, 17
omg soooooooooo brave well done puffy coat!!!!!!! i have only broke my wrist bike riding thats it tho xx
Charlotte, 13
you were really brave, i would of never been able to lie there with half my chest skin missing. i hope it dosent run your life tho :) x
Lauren, 14
woah... you were really lucky you were wearing that coat. i hope you'll get your way with the council. After all, after the accident, they should listen to you! xxxx
kimae, 14
wow. that would be really terrifying. i'm so glad that you survived it and are still optimistic about the future. good for you!!!
Rachel, 14
I think you are so brave!! Well done - you're an inspiration :) x
kayleigh, 13
aah your so brave! i would be so terrified! ive had some bike accidents but not as near as scary as that. keep up the bravery! xo
Bethany, 14
What a horrible story, you must think back & be so relieved you had your coat on!Good Luck with all your treatment in the future.Your'e a brave girl! :) x
