Long road to recovery for teenager

Careless moments can have life-changing consequences – and Lucy Moodie found out the hard way.

The Victorian teenager is still recovering from severe injuries suffered a year ago when she ran into a vehicle while crossing the road to catch a bus.

She has had 11 operations, including bone and skin grafts, after her leg was caught in the wheel arch of a tradesman's ute, and will need more plastic surgery.

As well as compound leg fractures, four of her teeth were knocked out and she also broke her collarbone and arm.

"It's been awful. I don't remember a lot of the first six months after Lucy's accident," said her mother, Carly Dare.

"I left for work one day and didn't come home for five weeks, while Lucy's father and I had an around-the-clock roster beside her hospital bed to ensure we were there for her.

"Thankfully, my sister lives near us and she was able to help with my teenaged boys. One of them was doing Year 12 at the time."

Lucy was 15 when she had the accident in June 2022 after following her cousin across a median strip on the road in Frankston.

She spent six months in a wheelchair – and her Mum needed back surgery after hurting herself lifting it in and out of the family car.

Lucy was an aspiring footballer and netballer buthas only just returned to restricted training.

"It is frustrating as I can't run properly anymore and I can't do all the drills," Lucy said.

"I hope I will be able to get back to what I could do previously. I know it will take time."

Much of her spare time is now taken up with medical appointments, including trips to Melbourne's Epworth Richmond hospital, where she has had three procedures performed by paediatric orthopaedic surgeon,Dr Lucas Annabell.

"We have lots of appointments every week," her mother said. "Two to three visits to the physio, doctors' appointments and appointments with Lucy's surgeon."

Despite falling behind in her studies due to her injuries, the Year 10 student is determined to finish school and qualify to become a paramedic – inspired by the care she has received.

"I want to be a paramedic to help people in the same way that I was helped," Lucy said.

She also wants people to learn from her experience and avoid danger on the roads.

"It can happen when you least expect it," Lucy said.

Read more: Dad's car collapse drives awareness mission

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