A couple who both lost limbs in a horror crash have fought their way back to health and want to thank those who helped.
Maureen and Stephen Matthews, from Duns, Berwickshire, were crushed when a car pinned them up against a wall as they walked on the pavement.
They both lost a leg in the accident in December 2012 and now wear prosthetic limbs.
And in July, they’re planning to walk three miles to raise cash for the hospital where they spent seven months recovering.
The accident happened as they were visiting son Robert, 11, in the same hospital on the day of the smash.
“Robert was in Borders General for an operation on his wrist, as he’d fallen over at school the day before,” Maureen recalled. “We went into Melrose to get cash so we could take him something to eat when he woke up from the anaesthetic.
“That’s when the car reversed.
“I remember them moving it off me, then I passed out. The next thing, I woke up in hospital and realised what had happened to my leg.
“I had serious internal injuries too. The amount of damage was beyond belief.
“But the hospital worked wonders for us and I can say that because I really feel I wasn’t supposed to be here today!”
Maureen, 42, came up with the fundraising idea when she woke up in hospital and realised she’d lost a limb.
“I thought I might never walk again,” she said. “But I vowed then that I would, and repaying the hospital for the amazing care they gave us was the motivation.”
Maureen and husband Stephen, 49, were discharged in May.
Now, after more than a year of operations, intense rehab and gruelling physio, they’ve learned to walk again.
“The artificial legs took time to get used to, but we’re finding our feet again,” Maureen laughed.
“We can’t do as many of the things that we used to be able to do with our son, but we’re so lucky to be here to watch him grow up.
“We’ve been given a second chance at life. That’s why I want to give something back.”
The couple’s charity walk on July 13 will start at their old house in Duns, which they had to give up after the accident as it has stairs which they can no longer climb, and end at their new house in the town.
“We’ve worked up to a mile and a half so we’re halfway there,” Maureen said. “It’s been a tough road to recovery but doing something for the hospital has given us something to focus on.
“We’re just thankful to still be alive.”
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