Living the dream to living the screams: British man’s tale of survival

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Picture courtesy of Lee Francis

 

By Bob Scott

 

Imagine living the dream, only to have it shattered in the blink of an eye in Thailand: This is the reality for a British man who has captivated the hearts of many with his tale of survival against the odds.

 

Lee Francis was left paralysed after a motorbike crash in Thailand but is determined to turn his nightmare into a new beginning.

 

It was supposed to be the perfect end to a blissful holiday. Lee and his wife, Clare, were on the return leg of a holiday in Krabi, southern Thailand, on January 19, 2024. They were visiting Lee’s daughter, Katie, and were just moments away from returning their hired bikes.

 

“We’re living the dream,” Lee had said to Clare, only minutes before the fateful accident.

 

Disaster struck, leaving the 55 year old with life-threatening injuries, including a fractured spine in three places and a subsequent pulmonary embolism that further complicated his condition.

 

 

“I am lucky to be alive.”

 

It’s a testament to sheer resilience and, as he believes, the crash helmet that saved his life. Both Lee and Clare were donning helmets at the time of the crash, a safety measure that is often neglected by locals and tourists alike in Thailand.

 

“It’s important people realise they have to wear the right equipment.”

 

The Welshman spent an arduous 10 months in hospital, first enduring a week-long battle for survival in Bangkok Phuket Hospital, then embarking on a gruelling rehabilitation programme at Llandough Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

“Every day and every year, it will get better,” said the occupational therapist from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf, as he focuses on rebuilding his life from a wheelchair.

 

 

For Clare, who suffered a concussion and deep abrasions in the crash, the journey has also been a challenging one. Married in the summer of 2022, she has been Lee’s steadfast rock, alternating between the role of carer and wife.

 

“She hasn’t missed a day. She’s changed her role from a wife to a carer and back again. She’s an inspiration to me.”

 

Lee is far from alone, as tragic motorcycle accidents have befallen several Welsh tourists in Thailand recently.

 

Earlier this month, 28 year old Corey Bevis from Barry tragically lost his life in a crash, and Adam Davies from Pembrokeshire sustained severe injuries in late 2022. Lee’s story shines a light on the importance of safety and community support.

 

A community occupational therapist by profession, Lee had dedicated his career to aiding people with disabilities in living independent lives. Ironically, he now finds himself on the receiving end of such care, having taken early medical retirement.

 

 

Lee and Clare are adapting their home to accommodate his new needs, aided partly by funds raised by the local community.

 

“The community have been absolutely fantastic,” he said, expressing gratitude for their generosity.

 

Lee’s rehabilitation journey took him to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, sparking a renewed determination to embrace sports as a means of healing.

 

“I’ve always loved sport, and it’s always been a healer for me. I know sport will heal me mentally again.”

 

Living with Tourette’s syndrome, Lee is no stranger to facing life’s challenges head-on. With each passing day, he is more committed to inspiring others, sharing a poignant message of hope and resilience.

 

 

“I would like to inspire other people to realise there is life after injury, and that’s the journey I’m now on.”

 

Despite his daily grief for the life he once had, Lee’s story is one of courage, community, and a relentless drive to find new ways of living the dream.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-31

 

 

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