Miracle machine helps crash victim fight back
Published: October 26, 2006
A young woman who suffered horrendous brain injuries in a car accident is defying medical opinion by fighting back to fitness with the help of a miracle’ machine.
Doctors told Tricia Whitehead’s mother to expect the worst after her car plunged 20 metres down a mountain in Gran Canaria in July 2004 when she was working as a holiday rep for Thomas Cook.
The 23-year-old was airlifted to hospital in a coma and did not regain consciousness for two months.
Because of the severe swelling on her brain doctors did not think she would live, let alone walk or talk again.
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But now the 25-year-old is not only talking, she is also walking thanks to the care and encouragement of her mother Rhoda Whitehead, 47, of Horton Bank Top - and a machine called the Power-Plate.
Russian scientist Vladimir Nazarov originally used vibration training to prevent astronauts’ muscles and bones wasting in space.
This research was used by Dutch Olympic trainer Guus van der Meer to develop a machine for the health and fitness sector in 1999.
It is now used by top sports people and celebrities, such as Madonna, as well as many people at Fitness Finesse in Beacon Road, Horton Bank Top, the first in Yorkshire to install the equipment.
he Power-Plate uses vibration therapy to exercise muscles to maximum capacity without strain on joints and is said to be especially useful for people who have problems exercising because of illness or disability, such as MS patients or people with arthritis.
For Tricia, who has just moved into her own house in Clayton Heights, using the machine at the gym has helped her defy medical expectations.
Doctors in Gran Canaria saved her live by removing bone in her forehead to relieve the swelling but when she was airlifted back to the UK, doctors here were not optimistic.
She was taken to hospital in Dewsbury and later to a rehabilitation ward in Chapel Allerton, and was not discharged until January 31, 2005.
Mrs Whitehead, who is Tricia’s full-time carer, said: “In Dewsbury she just lay there, doing nothing and they said, Sorry but this is the way she is going to be, not speaking or moving.’ “It was like having a baby again.
“But her friends were coming to visit and she started smiling and has been getting better every day, though we still have a long way to go.” Mrs Whitehead, who also has a son Eliott, 17, refused to have her daughter go to a care home, took her back to the family home and encouraged her not to give in.
When steroids caused Tricia to balloon in weight it was her mum who suggested they visit Fitness Finesse, which is where they came across the Power-Plate in April 2005.
At the time Tricia was using a zimmer frame but after visiting the gym three times a week, to use the Power-Plate, she now walks virtually unaided.
“When we went back to Chapel Allerton and saw her physio they couldn’t believe it,” said Mrs Whitehead.
Tricia, who is doing so well she is starting a catering course at Bradford College and taking delivery of a specially adapted car, said: “The gym has been fantastic. I needed support and they helped me so I would like to thank them.
“The biggest thanks must go to my mum who has been fantastic.”
June Smith, who owns the gym with business partner Malcolm Procter, did a lot of research into the machine before spending £6,000 on it.
She now says it is the best money they have ever spent.
“I knew Tricia before the accident and when she first came here I cried but since then I have been so proud of her.”
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