BOMB VICTIM SPEAKS OUT
Brave bomb victim speaks of determination to make the most of 'second chance'
Student teacher faces the future after losing leg in bomb
RESILIENCE, resolution and resolve.
Three 'R's student teacher, Suzanne Kelly has been forced to draw heavily upon in recent days.
Since suffering horrific injuries in last week's bombing, the 20-year-old from Brackenvale in Omagh has delved deep for inner resources of strength.
And as her slow path to recovery continues this week in Derry's Altnagelvin Hospital, the plucky Liverpool University student aims to make the most of her "second chance" in life.
Suzanne had gone shopping for clothes with her mother, Christine on that fateful Saturday afternoon just over a week ago.
Recalling in graphic detail the full horror of her experiences - from the moments following the blast, her journey to the 'County' and then on to Altnagelvin - Suzanne said she kept convincing herself "I just don't want to die."
Both mother and daughter had gone into the Shoppers Rest for a cup of tea, when they noticed the commotion in the street outside. On emerging, they were shepherded towards Market Street - ironically for their own safety.
"Mum had gone in the Salad Bowl to buy some fruit and then we decided to go on round the corner to Dunnes.
"Just as we came out of the Salad Bowl the bomb went off. I remember everything clearly after that.
"I was immediately covered in rubble and the next thing I remember thinking was 'Oh my God, I'm going to die here'."
Totally covered in glass and debris, Suzanne made frantic attempts to escape the mayhem.
Through the dust and haze, she spotted her mother sitting yards to her right, not realising at that stage the full extent of her injuries.
"People around me were lying dead and then I looked down and saw that my leg had gone and I started to scream.
"Two men lifted me and carried me over to the pavement at the side of the Cozy Korner.
"A friend of mine, Claire Keaney also came to help, as did Louise Coburn, the manager of Birthdays card shop where I used to work."
The severely injured girl was now carried to the back seat of a waiting car before "someone called Joe" took her to the nearby Tyrone County Hospital.
There, things were "total bedlam." Suzanne was placed on a mattress in outpatients awaiting her turn to be wheeled across to be assessed and treated.
"When doctors examined my injuries, they could do very little for me. So they bandaged me up and sent me in an ambulance to Altnagelvin.
"I didn't realise the full extent of my injuries until I reached Derry. At that stage I had really only lost my foot.
"But the surgeon came around and told me that he had to take off more because of tissue damage."
During the operation which followed that night, the young girl's right leg was amputated just below the knee.
Born in London, Suzanne and her younger brother, Damien returned to her father Raymond's native Omagh ten years ago.
After finishing GCSE studies at St Brigid's High School, she transferred to the Loreto Convent where excellent results from her French, Geography and Religious Education 'A' levels led to her gaining a placement at Liverpool Hope University College.
Initially Suzanne feared she have been forced to take a year out from her teaching studies as a result of her injuries.
But reassurances from college chiefs and positive reaction from staff at Musgrave Park Hospital's rehabilitation unit have already spurred the courageous student into mapping out tentative preparations for the weeks and months ahead.
"The people from Musgrave were with me today and they were very positive. They has given me great encouragement. They say I could be transferred back to Omagh maybe in about three week's time.
"But I'm definitely going back to teaching because I really love it.
"The college have been very good. They have already made arrangements for me and reassured me not to worry.
"The Head of Teaching, Tim Griffiths and Cathy Hodkinson, Head of Year One, both wrote to me and said they would organise lessons" she added.
Friends and relatives have proved a tower of strength for the Kelly family throughout their ordeal.
Support for the family itself has also been overwhelming.
Cards, flowers and soft toys spill over every available surface around Suzanne's bedside.
While Derry couple, Don O'Doherty and his wife Gertie have thrown open their home to the young girl's father.
Taxi firms from the city have generously laid on transport free of charge, while hotel managers have offered bed and breakfast facilities to family members unable to travel home.
On Monday afternoon, Suzanne - whose family firmly backed the recent peace process - also received a surprise visit from SDLP leader John Hume, who wished her well on her long road to recovery.
With peppered facial injuries now beginning to heal and swelled bruises slowly vanishing, each day now brings fresh hope of returning home.
Friday last, however, proved a difficult hurdle for all concerned.
Suzanne's mother's recovery from a coma brought with it the traumatic task of breaking the news of her daughter's injuries.
Christine Kelly remains in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, still suffering devastating injuries including severe lacerations and breathing problems.
"When I first met mum that day I had to tell her about my leg" explained Suzanne.
"I just said to her, 'You know, I will still have the same quality of life as I had before.'
"She cried and cried and cried. But once she realised I was trying to be positive about things, she finally accepted the news.
"And I think we are both now a help to each other in our recovery process, because we are so very close.
"We have been given a second chance, so we'll just have to make the best of it in spite of our injuries" she added.
Boyfriend of three years, Rory Doody from Summerfield Close has been at Suzanne's side throughout every step along her painful road to recovery.
During "good days and bad," the trainee chef has remained a constant source of encouragement and comfort.
"He has been with me every day, sometimes thumbing a lift down from Omagh to be by my side.
"And during the night, he sleeps in the chair beside my bed to keep me company. I don't know what I'd do without his support and the encouragement of everyone at this time" she added.
Student teacher faces the future after losing leg in bomb
RESILIENCE, resolution and resolve.
Three 'R's student teacher, Suzanne Kelly has been forced to draw heavily upon in recent days.
Since suffering horrific injuries in last week's bombing, the 20-year-old from Brackenvale in Omagh has delved deep for inner resources of strength.
And as her slow path to recovery continues this week in Derry's Altnagelvin Hospital, the plucky Liverpool University student aims to make the most of her "second chance" in life.
Suzanne had gone shopping for clothes with her mother, Christine on that fateful Saturday afternoon just over a week ago.
Recalling in graphic detail the full horror of her experiences - from the moments following the blast, her journey to the 'County' and then on to Altnagelvin - Suzanne said she kept convincing herself "I just don't want to die."
Both mother and daughter had gone into the Shoppers Rest for a cup of tea, when they noticed the commotion in the street outside. On emerging, they were shepherded towards Market Street - ironically for their own safety.
"Mum had gone in the Salad Bowl to buy some fruit and then we decided to go on round the corner to Dunnes.
"Just as we came out of the Salad Bowl the bomb went off. I remember everything clearly after that.
"I was immediately covered in rubble and the next thing I remember thinking was 'Oh my God, I'm going to die here'."
Totally covered in glass and debris, Suzanne made frantic attempts to escape the mayhem.
Through the dust and haze, she spotted her mother sitting yards to her right, not realising at that stage the full extent of her injuries.
"People around me were lying dead and then I looked down and saw that my leg had gone and I started to scream.
"Two men lifted me and carried me over to the pavement at the side of the Cozy Korner.
"A friend of mine, Claire Keaney also came to help, as did Louise Coburn, the manager of Birthdays card shop where I used to work."
The severely injured girl was now carried to the back seat of a waiting car before "someone called Joe" took her to the nearby Tyrone County Hospital.
There, things were "total bedlam." Suzanne was placed on a mattress in outpatients awaiting her turn to be wheeled across to be assessed and treated.
"When doctors examined my injuries, they could do very little for me. So they bandaged me up and sent me in an ambulance to Altnagelvin.
"I didn't realise the full extent of my injuries until I reached Derry. At that stage I had really only lost my foot.
"But the surgeon came around and told me that he had to take off more because of tissue damage."
During the operation which followed that night, the young girl's right leg was amputated just below the knee.
Born in London, Suzanne and her younger brother, Damien returned to her father Raymond's native Omagh ten years ago.
After finishing GCSE studies at St Brigid's High School, she transferred to the Loreto Convent where excellent results from her French, Geography and Religious Education 'A' levels led to her gaining a placement at Liverpool Hope University College.
Initially Suzanne feared she have been forced to take a year out from her teaching studies as a result of her injuries.
But reassurances from college chiefs and positive reaction from staff at Musgrave Park Hospital's rehabilitation unit have already spurred the courageous student into mapping out tentative preparations for the weeks and months ahead.
"The people from Musgrave were with me today and they were very positive. They has given me great encouragement. They say I could be transferred back to Omagh maybe in about three week's time.
"But I'm definitely going back to teaching because I really love it.
"The college have been very good. They have already made arrangements for me and reassured me not to worry.
"The Head of Teaching, Tim Griffiths and Cathy Hodkinson, Head of Year One, both wrote to me and said they would organise lessons" she added.
Friends and relatives have proved a tower of strength for the Kelly family throughout their ordeal.
Support for the family itself has also been overwhelming.
Cards, flowers and soft toys spill over every available surface around Suzanne's bedside.
While Derry couple, Don O'Doherty and his wife Gertie have thrown open their home to the young girl's father.
Taxi firms from the city have generously laid on transport free of charge, while hotel managers have offered bed and breakfast facilities to family members unable to travel home.
On Monday afternoon, Suzanne - whose family firmly backed the recent peace process - also received a surprise visit from SDLP leader John Hume, who wished her well on her long road to recovery.
With peppered facial injuries now beginning to heal and swelled bruises slowly vanishing, each day now brings fresh hope of returning home.
Friday last, however, proved a difficult hurdle for all concerned.
Suzanne's mother's recovery from a coma brought with it the traumatic task of breaking the news of her daughter's injuries.
Christine Kelly remains in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, still suffering devastating injuries including severe lacerations and breathing problems.
"When I first met mum that day I had to tell her about my leg" explained Suzanne.
"I just said to her, 'You know, I will still have the same quality of life as I had before.'
"She cried and cried and cried. But once she realised I was trying to be positive about things, she finally accepted the news.
"And I think we are both now a help to each other in our recovery process, because we are so very close.
"We have been given a second chance, so we'll just have to make the best of it in spite of our injuries" she added.
Boyfriend of three years, Rory Doody from Summerfield Close has been at Suzanne's side throughout every step along her painful road to recovery.
During "good days and bad," the trainee chef has remained a constant source of encouragement and comfort.
"He has been with me every day, sometimes thumbing a lift down from Omagh to be by my side.
"And during the night, he sleeps in the chair beside my bed to keep me company. I don't know what I'd do without his support and the encouragement of everyone at this time" she added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0137
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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