HEATHER PROVIDES MODEL SUPPORT FOR OMAGH BOMB INJURED
Heather provides 'model' support for Omagh bomb injured
HEATHER Mills, the top model who lost a leg in a road traffic accident, brought hope to some of the Omagh bomb victims at the Tyrone County Hospital's rehabilitation unit on Saturday.
Wearing a short skirt and knee length boots, Heather proved to be an inspiration to many of those who had lost limbs in the Market Street bomb of August 15, last year, particularly the young victims, Suzanne Kelly (21) Pauline Green (19), and Michelle Mimnagh (17).
Michelle, from Drumquin, was given a copy of Heather's best selling autobiography, Out On A Limb, while she was in hospital, and was extremely impressed by the model's courage.
"In her book Heather said she went skiing, so I did it too. I went to Denver, Colorado in December, and although I fell over lots of times, I enjoyed it," said Michelle.
Heather, who spent over five hours with the victims and their families, had private chats with each of the girls, and answered any questions they had about their artificial limbs.
"It was good to talk to someone who is in the same position as yourself. Heather told me I can still do anything I used to do and not to let anyone try to change my mind. She gave me great encouragement, and made me more determined, after seeing what she has done," Michelle said.
Since she lost her leg five years ago, Heather has spent a great deal of her time offering advice and support to amputees, and promoting the need to provide them with comfortable and functional limbs.
"The fact that she came wearing a skirt impressed us all. She gave good advice on different types of limbs, and told us about really good cosmetic ones which are available," said Michelle.
Michelle became friendly with Suzanne, who is from Brackenvale, Omagh, when they were in hospital together, but Saturday was the first time she had the opportunity to meet Pauline, from Knockmoyle.
"1 was looking forward to meeting Pauline because she is close to my age. It was good to get to know her, and now the three of us are able to give each other encouragement," she said.
Michelle began studying for a B-TEC in Science at Omagh College just before Christmas.
"I am very tired in the evenings, but it is much better than sitting at home. It's good to be out and about. I'm in a new class, and they are all very nice," she said.
Heather's visit was organised by Sue Prenter, who manages therapy services at the Tyrone County Hospital.
"The loss of her leg did not deter Heather from pursuing a very successful career as a model, writer and television presenter, and living a full and active life," she said.
Inspiration
"Her visit proved to be a great morale boost to those she met on Saturday, and she is certainly an inspiration to us all. Meeting Heather provided an opportunity for those affected by the bomb to speak to someone who had been through a similar traumatic and devastating experience.
"We are very grateful to Heather for coming over to Northern Ireland, and hope her visit gave her as much of a lift as it did to those who met her."
The visit also provided an opportunity for the president of the Omagh Rotary Club, Mr John Moore, to meet with the victims and tell them about a fund which will enable them to have cosmetic finishes to their limbs similar to those which Heather received.
"The fund is made up of money that has been collected from Rotary Clubs all over the world. In the week after the bomb, we got so many offers of help from other clubs. To my house alone, there were 160 calls from all over the British Isles, Australia and America," he said.
"I was so impressed with the young people I met in the rehabilitation centre on Saturday. When I saw their courage I was delighted to have been associated with the visit of Heather Mills, because she has given them a tremendous boost, but they are great in their own right."
HEATHER Mills, the top model who lost a leg in a road traffic accident, brought hope to some of the Omagh bomb victims at the Tyrone County Hospital's rehabilitation unit on Saturday.
Wearing a short skirt and knee length boots, Heather proved to be an inspiration to many of those who had lost limbs in the Market Street bomb of August 15, last year, particularly the young victims, Suzanne Kelly (21) Pauline Green (19), and Michelle Mimnagh (17).
Michelle, from Drumquin, was given a copy of Heather's best selling autobiography, Out On A Limb, while she was in hospital, and was extremely impressed by the model's courage.
"In her book Heather said she went skiing, so I did it too. I went to Denver, Colorado in December, and although I fell over lots of times, I enjoyed it," said Michelle.
Heather, who spent over five hours with the victims and their families, had private chats with each of the girls, and answered any questions they had about their artificial limbs.
"It was good to talk to someone who is in the same position as yourself. Heather told me I can still do anything I used to do and not to let anyone try to change my mind. She gave me great encouragement, and made me more determined, after seeing what she has done," Michelle said.
Since she lost her leg five years ago, Heather has spent a great deal of her time offering advice and support to amputees, and promoting the need to provide them with comfortable and functional limbs.
"The fact that she came wearing a skirt impressed us all. She gave good advice on different types of limbs, and told us about really good cosmetic ones which are available," said Michelle.
Michelle became friendly with Suzanne, who is from Brackenvale, Omagh, when they were in hospital together, but Saturday was the first time she had the opportunity to meet Pauline, from Knockmoyle.
"1 was looking forward to meeting Pauline because she is close to my age. It was good to get to know her, and now the three of us are able to give each other encouragement," she said.
Michelle began studying for a B-TEC in Science at Omagh College just before Christmas.
"I am very tired in the evenings, but it is much better than sitting at home. It's good to be out and about. I'm in a new class, and they are all very nice," she said.
Heather's visit was organised by Sue Prenter, who manages therapy services at the Tyrone County Hospital.
"The loss of her leg did not deter Heather from pursuing a very successful career as a model, writer and television presenter, and living a full and active life," she said.
Inspiration
"Her visit proved to be a great morale boost to those she met on Saturday, and she is certainly an inspiration to us all. Meeting Heather provided an opportunity for those affected by the bomb to speak to someone who had been through a similar traumatic and devastating experience.
"We are very grateful to Heather for coming over to Northern Ireland, and hope her visit gave her as much of a lift as it did to those who met her."
The visit also provided an opportunity for the president of the Omagh Rotary Club, Mr John Moore, to meet with the victims and tell them about a fund which will enable them to have cosmetic finishes to their limbs similar to those which Heather received.
"The fund is made up of money that has been collected from Rotary Clubs all over the world. In the week after the bomb, we got so many offers of help from other clubs. To my house alone, there were 160 calls from all over the British Isles, Australia and America," he said.
"I was so impressed with the young people I met in the rehabilitation centre on Saturday. When I saw their courage I was delighted to have been associated with the visit of Heather Mills, because she has given them a tremendous boost, but they are great in their own right."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0609
Published Date: 28-Jan-99
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