Life after a broken neck - taking back control | Angela Heeley | TEDxNewnham

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Published 2018-03-20
Life is good: you have an exciting new job, you’ve achieved amazing feats with your Army Reserves unit. Then out of nowhere, an accident fractures all the bones in your face, breaks your back, breaks your neck, and causes a spinal cord injury and tetraplegia. How do you possibly regain control of your life? Angela Heeley is an alumna of Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, and spent the majority of my career working for the veterinary charity PDSA, as the Senior Veterinary Surgeon responsible for the running of the Cardiff PetAid hospital. She has also been involved with the Army Reserves, and has served as a Veterinary Officer in Afghanistan, Cyprus and the UK. Angela is studying for an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
All Comments (8)
  • @davidzavala2020
    Big ups to her. I was a quadriplegic and recovered. Not fully yet, but soon!
  • @lindalemesurier7769
    Angela, I came upon your Ted talk while researching neck injury recoveries, because I am recovering from an accident. You are truly beautiful inside and out. Your courage and strength are admirable. What an amazing mother you are and a wonderful example for humanity. Staying positive is the reasonable choice. Its the only choice! Good luck with all your amazing endeavors, I have no doubt you will succeed!
  • @juliehayden123
    This really had a positive impact on me dealing with my chronic neck issue this is honestly the best thing I’ve ever heard. Especially since you can relate to being so active and being respected in your previous career. Thank you so much.
  • @MARIAZUBI1
    Dear Angela, I met you as an amazing runner, and you were an inspiration then... but you certainly are an inspiration now!! You are absolutely incredible and such an example to follow! Congratulations on making your life a great life again!
  • @sorrellangley-hobbs175
    Angela, inspirational, you truly are an amazing woman, your talk was absolutely mesmerising.
  • @macintoshimann9892
    My neck wasn’t broken but so badly twisted up by trauma 😢when cops lost control of a chase it was functionally similar. I learned what it was to hurt so bad in your entire body you become nauseous and often throw up from pain. At other times I lose all feeling in my body only to be replaced by excruciating nerve pain burning away. My fingers don’t even go where I tell them to. This injury at 24 is so severe it’s changed my personality. Im no longer kind and patient. These injuries are so pervasive the pain and insane feelings make you crazy. I honestly can’t find very much value in living. Like she says, I have to make a big effort to be positive. If you don’t try and make life worthwhile it isn’t. I miss my old life so much. I was in incredible physical shape and getting ready to compete in mens fitness competitions. Because of some A1 cops I was defrauded and denied any justice which is the hardest part. The crime is the hardest part of the injury. I didn’t do anything wrong and the people who made a mistake chose to take it a step further 😔