‘I was in a coma and paralysed at 15 – now I’m competing in my first Olympics’

Team GB rower Georgie Brayshaw was involved in a terrifying accident that left her partially paralysed 15 years ago.

Her world was turned upside down when her horse abruptly stopped by the roadside, causing her to tumble and hit the ground. The athlete can’t remember the crucial moment when she was airlifted to Leeds General Hospital, an action that essentially saved her life.

When she finally emerged from a nine-day coma, she was briefed on the near-fatal incident. As she gears up for her debut at the Olympic Games in Paris on Saturday, July 27, the Team GB rower considers herself extremely fortunate.

Georgie made a miraculous recovery
(Image: instagram)

However, her recovery and transition to high-level sports demonstrate her resilience. Georgie recalled the terrifying incident that happened when she was out riding her horse with her friends, aged just 15 years old.

Leeds-born Georgie, 30, told The Sun: “We were galloping through a field and there was a road. I tried to slow my horse down as it had shoes on and would have slipped. But my horse wasn’t very cooperative with that command. He turned as we got to the road. He slid and I slid off.

Georgie will compete in the quadruple sculls on Saturday, July 27
(Image: Getty Images)

“I don’t actually remember anything after that. I have no idea. I remember probably about an hour or so beforehand.” She added: “It’s hazy for the next 2-3 weeks. My friends, who were with me, rang 999 for an ambulance. An air ambulance came. I was unconscious on the floor.”

Georgie said her brain has “completely blocked out” the traumatic memory. The trauma left Georgie paralysed on her left side for about a year, but her family were resolute that she would regain as much strength as possible.

This will be Georgie’s first Olympic games
(Image: instagram)

Her brother would visit in hospital and engage her with puzzles that necessitated the use of her left hand. Through intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy, she relearned how to walk.

Rowing provided her a physical and sporting exploits during her university days, which she had to sideline for a few years after her mum, a midwife, suffered a stroke at 53. But the severe ordeal she experienced as a teenager altered her outlook on life, motivating her to quickly return to rowing.

When she competes in the quadruple sculls alongside teammates Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott and Lola Anderson her family will undoubtedly reflect on the incredible journey she has undertaken.

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