YOUNG AMPUTEE SPEAKS OF DRAMA IN DOCUMENTARY
Young amputee speaks of trauma in documentary
By JOHN McCUSKER
'Day it was decided my foot had to be amputated was the worst day of my life'
A YOUNG boutique assistant who had to have a foot amputated after being severely injured in the Omagh bomb, will be one of those featured in a television documentary to be screened next week.
Wendy Graham (29), who lives at Campsie Court, lost part of her left leg four months after receiving horrific injuries in last year's explosion in Market Street.
And in next Monday night's Nationwide documentary on RTE television, the young victim tells of her devastation at being told the limb could not be saved.
Speaking to the Herald this week, Ms Graham explained how she had been standing just ten feet away when the 300lb car bomb exploded.
She suffered severe injuries to both legs. The sensory nerve in her right arm was severed and she also lost her elbow joint.
Other injuries included a broken collarbone, a fractured right foot and head wounds.
The severely injured victim was firstly taken to Tyrone County Hospital before being transported to the intensive care unit at Altnagelvin. Five days later she was transferred to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald for plastic surgery.
But despite doctors' best efforts, her left foot had to be amputated just before last Christmas.
In next week's documentary - which focuses on victims of the troubles who have had to be fitted with artificial limbs as a result of their injuries - Ms Graham explains her devastation at being told the limb could not be saved.
"I think that the day it was decided my foot had to be amputated was the worst day of my life.
"It was worse than the day of the bomb, it was worse than the few weeks which followed the bomb. It just came as such a blow" she tells film-maker Alasdair Jackson.
Following her release from hospital, Ms Graham spent some time with her parents, Alan and Margaret, at their home at Lonsdale Grove, just off the Hospital Road. But weeks, later, she returned to her own home in Campsie.
Since then she has undergone fitment for three different artificial limbs, the latest of which incorporates an adjustable heel.
"The fact that I was able to return to live on my own gave me back my independence.
"I now feel that I am well on my way to recovery and hope to eventually return to work at Orbit Boutique where they are currently holding my job open" she added.
Nationwide will be broadcast on RTE One on Monday night, November 15th, at 7pm.
By JOHN McCUSKER
'Day it was decided my foot had to be amputated was the worst day of my life'
A YOUNG boutique assistant who had to have a foot amputated after being severely injured in the Omagh bomb, will be one of those featured in a television documentary to be screened next week.
Wendy Graham (29), who lives at Campsie Court, lost part of her left leg four months after receiving horrific injuries in last year's explosion in Market Street.
And in next Monday night's Nationwide documentary on RTE television, the young victim tells of her devastation at being told the limb could not be saved.
Speaking to the Herald this week, Ms Graham explained how she had been standing just ten feet away when the 300lb car bomb exploded.
She suffered severe injuries to both legs. The sensory nerve in her right arm was severed and she also lost her elbow joint.
Other injuries included a broken collarbone, a fractured right foot and head wounds.
The severely injured victim was firstly taken to Tyrone County Hospital before being transported to the intensive care unit at Altnagelvin. Five days later she was transferred to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald for plastic surgery.
But despite doctors' best efforts, her left foot had to be amputated just before last Christmas.
In next week's documentary - which focuses on victims of the troubles who have had to be fitted with artificial limbs as a result of their injuries - Ms Graham explains her devastation at being told the limb could not be saved.
"I think that the day it was decided my foot had to be amputated was the worst day of my life.
"It was worse than the day of the bomb, it was worse than the few weeks which followed the bomb. It just came as such a blow" she tells film-maker Alasdair Jackson.
Following her release from hospital, Ms Graham spent some time with her parents, Alan and Margaret, at their home at Lonsdale Grove, just off the Hospital Road. But weeks, later, she returned to her own home in Campsie.
Since then she has undergone fitment for three different artificial limbs, the latest of which incorporates an adjustable heel.
"The fact that I was able to return to live on my own gave me back my independence.
"I now feel that I am well on my way to recovery and hope to eventually return to work at Orbit Boutique where they are currently holding my job open" she added.
Nationwide will be broadcast on RTE One on Monday night, November 15th, at 7pm.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0596
Published Date: 11-Nov-99
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