On 13th June 2009 just before her 14th birthday, Lauren had an accident which resulted in her being paralysed from the waist down. Her positive mental attitude and determination to achieve has astounded all those around her.

Lauren played for Worthing Minors girl’s football team helping them to win the Sussex Cup in April 2009. She had also taken place in trials for Brighton and Hove Albion youth girls team and had progressed to the final stages just days before the accident.

Lauren underwent 2 major operations at Southampton Hospital before moving to Stoke Mandeville on 27th July 2009 for intensive rehabilitation. Whilst there Lauren had the opportunity to try out several wheel chair sports which renewed her interest in Tennis. Her determination and hard work paid off when she was selected for Paralympics trials at Brunel University and awarded a place on the development training scheme for the 2012 games.

The T12 vertebrae in Lauren’s back was shattered in the accident and a sharks tooth shaped piece of bone acted like a rotor blade along the spinal chord causing the damage at the T9 vertebrae and preventing any sensation below that point. This means that Lauren has full feeling from her belly button upwards.

The picture below shows the 1st operation which was carried out on the day after the accident by Mr Christopher Dare at Southampton University Hospital. This operation stabilised the spine and pulled her back into line by 40 degrees. (The average for this operation is 10-15 degrees.)

The second operation was carried out by Mr Evan Davies following further x-rays of the site which revealed a hole where the vertebrae would have been. The decision was taken to insert a metal cage into this cavity to further strengthen the spine to enable Lauren to push herself through her rehabilitation and pursue her future sporting goals.