FITNESS instructor and female rugby player Tash Gardiner from Bishopsteignton is fighting back after being involved in a near-fatal road crash.
The 20 year old's life was saved when she instinctively curled up into a rugby-scrum ball position when she saw the head-collision approaching.
Tash suffered a broken neck and was left with brain damage and now has a tracheosotomy tube in her windpipe. She spent seven months in hospital and had only a two per cent chance of survival.
Despite being left with devastating health problems, the Bishopsteignton girl is now fundraising for Devon Air Ambulance.
Without the air ambulance Tash says she would not have got to hospital in time: "If it wasn't for the air ambulance I wouldn't be here now. I would be 6ft under."
Tash, who went to school at Bishopsteignton primary and Teignmouth Community College, was the passenger in a car in March, 2011, near Cowley Bridge in Crediton when the accident happened.
Tash said: "We were on our way to get tattoos. The girl who was driving had only passed her test three weeks before.We were running late and as we went around a bend we collided with a 4x4.
"I was 19. I broke my neck in two places and had internal bleeding of the liver and spleen and smashed my pelvis up.
"I had to have a tracheostomy to save my life. My wind pipe and voice box were damaged.
"I will get better but it will always affect me."
Before the accident she was working as a self-employed fitness instructor, teaching in Teignmouth, Dawlish and Exeter, and living independently.
Now she is back at home being cared for by mum Kathy, who said: "There was only a two per cent chance of her surviving.
"The surgeon who operated said that it was her rugby that saved her life.
"When she saw the other car coming straight at them she instinctively tucked herself up into a ball, almost like a scrum. She was in a position like a baby in the womb.
"It saved her from losing her legs but it broke her neck.
"She was on the operating table for five hours before I even knew that she'd been in a crash.
"We have been told that she should make about a 95 per cent recovery over time but they don't know exactly.
"Her long-term memory is very, very god but her short-term memory is not very good because of the brain damage. She is totally different. A different personality. But she is getting better."
Now Tash is organising a themed War Time Dance at Bishopsteignton Community Centre on Saturday, July 21.
Guests are invited to wear clothes from the era and wartime-style food will be served.
Live music from Divertimento will provide the entertainment with a variety of songs and nostalgic hits from years gone by.
Photographer Andrew Kemp will be on hand to snap portraits on arrival.
Tash said: "The Devon Air Ambulance team saved my life last year.
"People who were living in the war years weren't so fortunate to have an Air Ambulance so, following all the jubilee celebrations, we have themed this fundraiser as a War Time Dance to remind people how lucky we are now."
Tickets for the evening cost £10 per person, to include a buffet. They are available in advance from Supply Stores and the Post Office in the village or from mum Kathy Gardiner on 0789 159 7137.
source: thisissouthdevon.co.uk
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