A CULCHETH student who suffered a brain injury after being hit by a car and had to learn to eat speak and walk again has been given the highest award by her college after successfully completing her A-Levels.

Gabrielle Styles, 21, was named ‘Vocational Student of the Year’ during a ceremony in July at Cronton College, in Widnes.

The inspirational student has miraculously excelled in her college studies achieving the highest mark in her class for her Btec in healthcare.

As well as earning an A-Level in sociology while still undergoing rehab for the injuries she sustained in the car accident which took place when she was 16.

Gabby explained that in November 2019, she was walking back home after getting the school bus and was crossing a road when she was hit by a car travelling along the road.

The impact of the crash left her with both shoulders broken as well as a broken hip and leg and she developed a ‘severe’ brain injury.

“I was in a coma for two weeks in Salford Royal Hospital and I could not move eat or sleep,” Gabby explained.

“I was in there for four months before being moved to Trafford General Hospital because of covid as Salford Royal became a covid central hospital. I was in Trafford General for another five months before I could go back home.

“My parents where told on a couple of occasions I may not be able to walk again.”

The 21-year-old described the long process of having to learn to speak and eat again while she recovered in the hospital.

From left: Les, Gabrielle and April From left: Les, Gabrielle and April (Image: Supplied)
Adding to the distress of the situation, due to it being the pandemic, Gabby was at some points not allowed visitors and had limited access to rehab and treatment.

Speaking of an uplifting gesture made by the hospital during Gabby’s stay, her mum April said: “Gabby plays the piano and at Trafford they found a piano and moved it into her ward so she could play it whenever she wanted to. It got her moving again.”

Gabby returned home from the hospital in September 2020 and had to use a wheelchair. Her family home was adapted for her mobility.

“At the point when I came home, three weeks after I decided to enrol into college.

“There was little to no access to rehab and college was the best way to get social rehabilitation,” Gabby explained.

April added that her daughter chose to attend Cronton College in Widnes as the setting were able to provide a personal assistant for her during her studies.

Throughout her studies she also attended rehab three times a week for speech therapy, physio.

As well as undergoing further treatment through occupational therapy.

Reflecting on the incredible journey of recovery in the years following the car accident, Gabby said: “It has been definitely a lot, and my parents had to go through a lot, but through everything, it’s just been a really important experience that I needed to have.

“I have always wanted to go into speech therapy when I am older. I am glad I have been able to look back and be grateful for the experience.

Gabrielle accepting her 'student of the year' awardGabrielle accepting her 'student of the year' award (Image: Supplied)

“My team of physios’ have got me on my feet. They have got me using my sticks and now I am using only one.”

The Cronton student is now gearing up to begin studying for a degree in healthcare at Edge Hill university in Ormskirk.

She will be moving into halls part time for the days she studies on campus while still travelling back to Warrington to continue her rehab treatment.

Remarking on the start of university in September, she said: “I think it is time for me to get on my own feet, even if one of them I can’t feel.”

April went on to describe her daughter as an ‘inspiration’ for what she has managed to achieve in the last two years.

“When she was in hospital, they wanted us to prepare for the worst so to get to where she is now is incredible.

“In Trafford she was not allowed any visitors, she wasn’t in a children’s hospital, so she was the youngest patient in there.

“When she came home it was a case of either sit in wheelchair with nothing to do or go to college.

“She is nothing short of inspirational. To complete a Btec and finish her A-Level while doing rehab and doing 100 hours work experience at a care home as well.

“We were absolutely delighted when the college rang us to tell us she was getting the student of the year award.”

Echoing those words, Gabby’s dad Les added: “From a position where Gabby had been horizontal for the best part of nine months and four weeks, to finding out now she has become student of the year is absolutely remarkable.

“What Gabby has achieved; she is certainly an incredible lady.”