
Judo star back coaching after life-threatening motorbike crash
Scot Stephanie Inglis wants to return to Vietnam despite horrific accident.
Stephanie Inglis cannot remember anything from the motorbike accident that almost killed her in Vietnam earlier this year.
But that's not something which bothers the 27-year-old. In fact she agrees with the many doctors and nurses that helped her recover from life-threatening injuries she sustained, who all say it is a good thing she cannot recall the events of five months ago.
The judo star was teaching English to school pupils in Ha Long when on May 10 she was a passenger on a motorcycle taxi. Her skirt got caught in the wheel, pulling her off the vehicle, causing her severe brain injuries.
She was given just a 1% chance of survival by local doctors. After a month of battling many setbacks while in an induced coma, including a bout of pneumonia, the Invernesian pulled through.
"My mum and dad when I woke up were in the room with me," she told STV, "and it was my dad that told me I'd been in a motorcycle accident.
"Then there were nurses and doctors that came in as well when I woke up and they started explaining all that had happened and all that I'd went through.
"It was crazy, I just couldn't believe I was getting told all of this and had no memory whatsoever, not even a flashback, nothing to jog my memory of that actually happening. It was quite scary.
"Because I wasn't conscious at the time and I was in an induced coma, I wasn't aware of anything so I don't have the memories there so I should never have a flashback.
"That's what I've been told by a lot of the doctors and the professionals, it's a good thing and I think so too.
"I'm not going to be traumatised by it in later life and have a flashback of it. Once my recovery is over with I can just move on and get over with it."
The recovery process continues to be a long and enduring one. Each week Stephanie has two visits to a physiotherapist, one or two visits from an occupational therapist and an appointment with a speech and language therapist all helping with her rehabilitation.
She has come a long way from what was considered major milestones early in the recovery: that first moment of waking up with her parents by her bed, the first time she was able to smile, and the greater achievement of being able to stand for the first time since the accident.
Her family and friends have created a support system around her now that she has been back home after a Crowdfunding campaign raised money to fly her from Vietnam back to hospital in Edinburgh.
Stephanie said: "I've definitely come a long way - I couldn't even walk when I first woke up. I was definitely in shock because I remember nothing of the accident.
"I remember teaching in the morning of it and then waking up in Edinburgh a month later.
"That to me is just crazy and it took me a while to get my head around it. I've come a long way since then and I'm doing better now and I'm in a better place.
"People come up to me and tell me how great I'm doing, it's lovely to see me, and it's just nice to have that support there. And then hearing about all of the fundraising other people have done and the support and help they've given me is an inspiration.
"To see all of these people go out of their way so generous and just pushing me on - that positive energy is pushing me on."
However, the process is not quite complete yet. Stephanie faces another operation to put a titanium plate in place by her skull to protect the brain from any further damage.
She added: "The doctor said it's probably going to be January time but they're in talks and meetings right now to try and bring that forward. So hopefully it's going to be this side of New Year. The sooner the better for me because then I can just get a move on with the recovery.
"They had to remove part of my skull to release pressure so now they're putting a titanium plate in place to protect my brain and fix the shape of my head I think it is.
"People are asking me if I'm excited about it and I'm like 'not really, it's quite a big operation'. I am looking forward to getting it done and moving on."
It's not something that the Commonwealth silver medallist sees an obstacle though as she has recently got back into judo coaching.
Although brain injuries have led other athletes to opt out of considering competing in their sport again, the positive energy Stephanie feels is giving her the determination to aim for a return to the mat.
"[Coaching] is what's keeping me going right now," she said, "just thinking of those long term goals that I've got in my mind.
"I definitely want to get back into the sport but I've got one more operation to go then recovery after that. Hopefully once that's all done I'll get back into training myself and hopefully be back into competition.
"I'll just have to take it as it comes, take it nice and slow, there's no rush for me just now which is a great thing, and then just see how I do.
"Watching and being around the coaching makes me want to be back on the mat myself training.
"At the weekend watching all the Team GB players do great makes me want to be fighting in that competition next year. It definitely gives me that motivation to keep going."
The past five months have taught Stephanie a lot. She realises how much of a positive person she was before the accident and also realises the importance of maintaining that state of mind, not just to show face but to benefit the road to recovery.
Moving back into judo coaching and small signs of normality help her along that road as she philosophically looked back on how her life has changed this year.
At just 27 years of age and fighting that 1% chance of survival Stephanie has been given a second chance at life. One where she knows she wants to get back to living the way she was before the crash.
She added: "I've always felt I'm quite a positive person but even more so now. I think there's no point in being negative because that could have a bad result in my rehab. If I'm not feeling that great or feeling down or low I might not do so well that day and then that's just going to delay my recovery.
"If an opportunity comes across your path then you should take it and if the outcome isn't great then it doesn't matter, you won't have any regrets. You won't look back in ten years time and say 'oh, I wish I did this' you would know and you would know the outcome.
"I've always lived that way thinking I don't want to have any regrets. So I would rather try something and if it doesn't work out then at least I've given it a try and I always know instead of wondering in years to come 'what if'."
She also doesn't hold any grudges against where her accident took place, encouragingly and actively in support of visiting the south east Asia again.
Stephanie said: "Vietnam was a beautiful place. I'd love to go back and visit some of the places I've seen, to see how they've changed. Maybe go back to Ha Long where I was teaching and visit some of my old work colleagues to see how they're getting on.
"I think it would be a good thing to do in the future, not any time soon probably .
"I've had a few photos from [the pupils] and some well-wishing messages and some videos. It would be nice if I did go back to get in touch with some of the schools and visit and they might still be there, they might not, but it would be great to see some of the kids again."