Kildare woman Kaythlyn Smith was a passenger in a car that crashed off a bridge falling around 20 feet
The Kildare woman was a passenger in a car that crashed off a bridge in Co Wicklow falling around 20 feet.
Kaythlyn survived the crash but was rushed to hospital with life-altering injuries.
Having suffered a C5 spinal injury, the 25-year-old has been left paralysed from the chest down with no movement in her fingers.
Before the accident, Kaythlyn travelled the world as a beautician working on cruise ships. Now she finds herself confined to her hospital bed or wheelchair, unable to venture beyond the gates of the rehabilitation centre.
“I used to work as a beautician before the accident, a career I loved because it allowed me to make people feel good about themselves,” recalled Kaythlyn.
“My work even took me abroad and I spent years travelling the world while working on cruise ships in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I loved the freedom, the travel ,and the ability to use my skills to connect with people from all walks of life.”
But the life Kaythlyn worked so hard to build for herself came crashing down around her in an instant. Her everyday life is now a far cry from the life she lived just mere months ago.
Kaythlyn Smith (25) suffered a serious spinal injury leaving her paralysed from the chest down following a devastating car crash
“Now, my reality is very different,” said Kaythlyn. “Overnight, I lost not just my independence, but also my career and lifestyle I worked so hard to build.
“I can no longer do simple everyday tasks, things like getting out of bed, holding a glass of water, eating without help, or using my phone the way I used to.”
For Kaythlyn, losing the use of her hands puts her career as a beautician in jeopardy.
“Losing the use of my hands has been especially devastating because my hands were my livelihood as a beautician.”
Kaythlyn is currently in a rehabilitation centre where she is pushing her body to its limit in order to give herself the best chance at recovery.
“Right now I’m in a rehabilitation centre where every single day is a struggle,” she said. “My routine is filled with medications, injections, and extreme physiotherapy sessions that push my body to its limits.
“It’s exhausting and painful but I know it’s necessary if I want to give myself the best chance of recovery.”
If the last few months weren’t difficult enough for the Kildare woman, her family is facing yet another challenge as her mother has been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.
“In May, my mum was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive breast cancer,” said Kaythlyn. “She’s going through treatment herself, and because I’m in rehab and she’s so unwell, we hardly get to see each other.
“It breaks my heart that I can’t be there to look after her or support her the way I want to.
“The hardest part has been the loss of independence and having to rely on others for even the smallest things while also being separated from my mum during her own fight for life.”
Kaythlyn Smith (25) suffered a serious spinal injury leaving her paralysed from the chest down following a devastating car crash
Despite the obstacles, Kaythlyn is determined not to give up on her future and remains positive about her road to recovery.
“I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but I refuse to give up,” said Kaythlyn. “Even through the pain and challenges I refuse to give up. I believe in the possibility of recovery.
“Around the world, there are cutting-edge medical trials and rehabilitation programmes that offer hope for people with spinal injuries like mine.
“These treatments could give me the best chance of regaining function and maybe even walking again.”
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help raise money for Kaythlyn’s treatments abroad in hope that she can regain her mobility again.
Kaythlyn Smith (25) suffered a serious spinal injury leaving her paralysed from the chest down following a devastating car crash
“Unfortunately these opportunities and treatments are incredibly expensive and not available where I live,” explained Kaythlyn. “That’s why I have created a Go Fund Me page to help raise the funds I need to travel abroad and access the care and treatments that could change my future.
“Every donation, no matter the size, brings me closer to that goal. Your support will not only help me access life-changing treatment, but it will also give me hope and strength on this journey.
“With your support I have a real chance to heal, regain my independence, and one day walk again. Your kindness can help me turn hope into a reality.”
If you would like to donate to the Go Fund Me page, you can click here