Imagine finding the strength to look forward after a road crash left you with serious injuries and caused the devastating loss of your husband.
Ismena and Simon
Ismena and Simon fell in love at first sight when Ismena was 19. Their relationship blossomed through long conversations, days out, and camping trips. Simon proposed during one of these moments, and they married, after 14 years together, in an intimate ceremony in August 2019.
They couldn’t wait to share their news, and with family and friends living in so many different places, they were planning a larger ceremony when they could.
But three months later, on 30 November 2019, everything changed.
The day everything changed
Ismena says, “I thought we had a day in Chesterfield, but we didn’t. We never managed to get to that point of the day.”
Ismena and Simon were crossing a road in Chesterfield town centre when they were struck by a speeding vehicle. Simon was killed instantly, and Ismena suffered severe injuries, including a serious traumatic brain injury, skull fractures, a tear to her spleen, fractures to her hip and pelvis and bruising to her lungs. She was taken to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where she underwent surgery and spent nearly two weeks in intensive care.
She learned of Simon’s death on 6 December when she woke up.
“Sometimes I wish I had a memory from that day [of the crash].” says Ismena. “One that’s not told by others. I was on a lot of morphine, and I was confused most of the time until I started accepting that Sy was also involved, and he was no longer with me. I remember how nice everyone was at the hospital. I think I cried to every single person I crossed paths with.”
Recovery
After being discharged on 17 December 2019, Ismena stayed with her sister-in-law, who offered support for daily activities, as well as emotional support. She adapted creatively to the impacts of her physical injuries, moving up and down stairs on her bottom, and carrying things in her dressing gown pockets so she could do simple tasks like making breakfast for herself.
Legal support
Ismena’s family contacted us for legal support for her injuries. She also needed advice on matters arising from Simon’s death, including obtaining the Grant of Probate, administering his estate, and communicating with the police.
We were able to secure interim payments and enlist a multi-disciplinary team of therapists, giving Ismena access to the support she needed to rehabilitate from her physical injuries, learn to live with her own brain injury and support her through the loss of her husband.
Ismena’s rehabilitation continued over the lifetime of her claim. The settlement we achieved ensures she has funds to pay for future support and assistance as and when she needs it.
Our team of financial advisors are helping Ismena to invest her damages, giving her greater financial security for the future. We’re also helping her to prepare a Will, to safeguard her finances and ensure her wishes and feelings are accounted for.
Kate Venn from our Serious Injury team supported Ismena. She said, “Having a brain injury means that, as well has she has done with her rehabilitation, Ismena will continue to experience fatigue which limits her day to day. She’ll also struggle at times to make decisions and choices. She has ongoing issues with her mobility, and she has profound hearing loss in her right ear, requiring hearing aids. The compensation we secured means Ismena now has a financial safety net, which is even more important as she continues to adapt to life without Simon.”
Reflecting on the support she’s received, Ismena said, “Irwin Mitchell sees you as a human. They tailor the help that you need, and they work on finding your strength to carry on.”
Looking to the future
Ismena’s bought a house, started training as a teaching assistant, supporting autistic children, and she’s learning to drive.
With time, Ismena’s felt able to enjoy new adventures. When a friend invited her on a trip to Peru, she seized the opportunity with both hands. From the top of Machu Pichu, she pinched herself, unable to believe it was real.
Recalling swimming in the Amazon with piranhas bumping against her skin, Ismena said, “I had to keep getting out, but it was the most unique experience. It was amazing.
“It made me feel that I am moveable, and I can adapt to certain situations. My comfort blanket was my childhood friend, but I didn’t know the others. It’s slowly giving me confidence of wanting to have such experiences by myself.”
Kate says, “Ismena is hugely courageous and incredibly adventurous. She is truly an inspirational and strong young woman. It is incredible that she’s been able to build new hopes and dreams after everything she has been through.”
Support from WAY Widowed and Young
Grief and bereavement significantly impacted Ismena’s recovery. The confusion of waking up in hospital and her brain injury meant it took time to accept that Simon had gone.
Ismena found support through one of our charity partners, WAY Widowed and Young. The charity helps people under 50 who’ve lost a partner, by putting them in touch with a local support network.
“My first meeting was throwing axes in York,” says Ismena. “I took my friend Katie because I didn’t want to go on my own. There were so many different people there, it felt wholesome. I’ve made a friend from Sheffield and one from Kent, and I can talk freely to them about my feelings. They’re really good friends, and I can’t imagine going on this journey without them too.”
“Life has definitely changed. You have to reinvent yourself. I was for so long with someone who was my soulmate. You become one and rely on each other’s personalities. You learn from each other. Now I’m doing it on my own. I’m still learning about who I am by myself. It’s a really hard job, but you’ve got to move forward to find out who you are.”
If you’ve lost a loved one as a result of a road traffic collision, or you’ve sustained a serious injury and need support and guidance, please reach out to our caring and professional team.
0330 8088 816
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