BLAST TAKES IT TOLL ON YOUNG VICTIM
Blast takes its toll on young victim
EXCLUSIVE BY STEPHANIE BELL
THIS is the reinforced body brace which holds young Omagh bomb victim Diane McCann's fragile back bones in place.
It is the young woman's only support for terrible injuries which have left her in almost constant agony.
But with admirable courage -common among so many of the Omagh bomb victims - the 21-year-old is determined not to let it ruin her life.
Said Diane: "It does get you down but I have to try and get stronger and stronger so that I can get back to normal."
Diane's horrific experience on the day of the bomb has only recently started to take its toll psychologically.
After months of hospital treatment, she is recovering from mulitple injuries to her back, pelvis, legs and shoulder at home.
But with enforced rest day after day, the mental trauma has inevitably started to take it's toll.
Diane was standing two shops away from the terrorist car bomb when it exploded in the crowded street.
She recalled: "There was this really loud bang and it was as if everything was in slow motion.
"A building fell on top of me and I was buried in bricks up to my head.
Move
"I was conscious the whole time and I tried to get up but I couldn't move because of my back.
"One of the wee boys from Buncrana was lying beside me, buried in bricks.
All you could see was his wee face, very pale and he was crying.
"Somebody picked him up ,but he died before he could be brought to hospital."
"The picture of that wee boy keeps flashing into my mind."
Two men finally came to Diane's aid, lifting her onto a makeshift stretcher taken from a local shop.
One of the men stayed with Diane in the bus, which took her to hospital and also in casualty until medical staff were able to treat her.
Diane underwent two major operations and had a steel plate and rods inserted in her back.
"I kept thinking that if I never walked again what would I do.
"The relief when the feeling came back into my legs was amazing. The nerves are still damaged, though, and it will take time for them to heal."
Diane has had to wear a body cast constantly for the past three months.
This week she was given the good news that she is allowed to take it off for one hour every day.
But she faces a long, slow recovery in the months ahead.
EXCLUSIVE BY STEPHANIE BELL
THIS is the reinforced body brace which holds young Omagh bomb victim Diane McCann's fragile back bones in place.
It is the young woman's only support for terrible injuries which have left her in almost constant agony.
But with admirable courage -common among so many of the Omagh bomb victims - the 21-year-old is determined not to let it ruin her life.
Said Diane: "It does get you down but I have to try and get stronger and stronger so that I can get back to normal."
Diane's horrific experience on the day of the bomb has only recently started to take its toll psychologically.
After months of hospital treatment, she is recovering from mulitple injuries to her back, pelvis, legs and shoulder at home.
But with enforced rest day after day, the mental trauma has inevitably started to take it's toll.
Diane was standing two shops away from the terrorist car bomb when it exploded in the crowded street.
She recalled: "There was this really loud bang and it was as if everything was in slow motion.
"A building fell on top of me and I was buried in bricks up to my head.
Move
"I was conscious the whole time and I tried to get up but I couldn't move because of my back.
"One of the wee boys from Buncrana was lying beside me, buried in bricks.
All you could see was his wee face, very pale and he was crying.
"Somebody picked him up ,but he died before he could be brought to hospital."
"The picture of that wee boy keeps flashing into my mind."
Two men finally came to Diane's aid, lifting her onto a makeshift stretcher taken from a local shop.
One of the men stayed with Diane in the bus, which took her to hospital and also in casualty until medical staff were able to treat her.
Diane underwent two major operations and had a steel plate and rods inserted in her back.
"I kept thinking that if I never walked again what would I do.
"The relief when the feeling came back into my legs was amazing. The nerves are still damaged, though, and it will take time for them to heal."
Diane has had to wear a body cast constantly for the past three months.
This week she was given the good news that she is allowed to take it off for one hour every day.
But she faces a long, slow recovery in the months ahead.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/065
Published Date: 06-Dec-98
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