For 20-year-old Amy Leneve from Romsey, this Christmas will feel especially meaningful. After a life-changing accident earlier this year, she is now back home and ready to celebrate the festive season with her family. Her determination, resilience, and the care and support she received throughout her journey have made this homecoming possible.
A talented member of her local trampoline club, Starlight, Amy spent much of her free time training and travelled to Portugal for a training camp. While practising a routine on a mini trampoline, a move she had done countless times before, Amy suffered a devastating injury, dislocating the top of her spine.
“I landed directly on my neck and couldn’t feel anything below the injury,” Amy said.
Amy was rushed to hospital in Portugal for emergency surgery. She spent three days in intensive care and a further 11 days in hospital before being flown back to the UK in a medical aeroplane. From there, she was admitted to the Spinal Unit University Hospital Southampton, where she spent over a month before transferring to the newly opened South of England Rehabilitation Centre (SERC) at the Western Community Hospital in Southampton.
Amy described the early days after her injury as incredibly difficult.
“It was stressful and hard to come to terms with being paralysed and not being able to move. But I knew I couldn’t change what had happened, so I tried to stay positive and just get on with it,” she said.
Amy’s outlook, combined with the care she received, helped her make remarkable progress. She credits the nurses, healthcare assistants, and therapists for their support throughout her recovery.
“Everyone throughout my journey has been amazing and really supportive. I got on so well with everyone,” she said.
On the Keats Ward at the SERC, the focus shifted to regaining her independence. With daily therapy and support from the therapy and nursing team, Amy began to notice quicker progress, eventually enabling her to return home earlier than expected.
Now home in Romsey, Amy is delighted to be spending Christmas with her family.
“It’s so nice to be back home, especially for Christmas. I can do things at my own pace and enjoy being in my own space. There’s no time limit on seeing people, I can sleep in my own bed, and I can just get back into my routine,” she said.
This year, Amy will celebrate the festive season with her mum, dad, uncles, aunties, and cousins, enjoying the Christmas traditions that mean so much to her.
“Every year we have big plans for Christmas, and what I really wanted was to be home for it. I’m so happy to be able to spend it here with my family,” she added.
Amy’s recovery journey continues, now supported by the Neuro Rehabilitation Gym service where she will work on strengthening her body and exploring aids to help her progress further.
At the time of discharge, Amy was able to walk with crutches and was independent with managing stairs. While the overall prospect for her injury remains uncertain, she is determined to stay positive and focused on getting back to normality.
“I aim to do as much as I can to get back on my feet and back to normal. It’s a slow process, but I’m getting there,” she said.
Amy hopes to resume her studies in interior design and decoration at Solent University in September 2025. She also hopes of working as a full-time interior designer in the future.
Amy attributes much of her progress to the unwavering support of her friends and family, who visited her daily during her time in hospital.
“What really helped was having lots of friends and family who supported me so much. They were there for me every day,” she said.
Her positive outlook and the care she received have been vital to her recovery.
“I’m really lucky with the progress I’ve made. Everyone who’s been part of my care has been amazing, and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done to help me get to this point,” Amy said.
Deepa Rajkumar, Clinical lead Inpatients/Physiotherapist at the South of England Rehabilitation Centre, said: “Amy’s determination and positivity have been incredible to witness. From the very beginning, she worked so hard to make progress. Seeing her back home and ready to celebrate Christmas with her family is so rewarding for all of us who were part of her care. It’s a real testament to how a strong mindset, supportive family and the right care can help with the recovery journey.”
