In a first media interview since their youngest daughter Lucie suffered catastrophic injuries in a roadside accident, parents Sue and Rocky Maguire have told the Stray Ferret how they and all their family are focused on the future.
The accident on 27 January, saw the nursery school assistant lose her right leg, hip and pelvis.
Lucie, who had her 20th birthday last month, has undergone extensive surgery, with more operations to follow.
In a FaceTime call from her bed at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) she said:
“I’d like to thank all the people who have helped me over the past nine months and also those who have sent such lovely messages of support.”
Back home in Kirkby Malzeard, regulars at the Queen’s Head, have a constant reminder of the ongoing effort, that will help her to rebuild her life when she gets out of hospital.
A pale ale called Our Girl Lucie, produced by Wensleydale Brewery, raises money with every pint that is pulled, while a GoFundMe page set up by close family friend Helen Walford, has already raised almost £40,000.
Sue and Rocky Maguire at the bar in the Queen’s Head, where the Our Girl Lucie pale ale is on sale
Sue, who runs the village pub with her husband, has constantly been at their daughter’s side at both the LGI and St James’s Hospital, Leeds.
She said:
“Lucie is a remarkable person and her fighting spirit helped her to pull through when we were fearing the worst.
“She has undergone numerous operations and has more to follow and has shown incredible courage.”
After the accident, she was initially taken to the LGI before being transferred to St James’s and is now back at the LGI.
Rocky said:
“The care that she has received at both hospitals has been world-class and we thank everybody, not only for the way that they have looked after Lucie, but also the kindness they have shown to us.”
There has been daily contact via FaceTime, while he and eldest daughter Zanne have handled the day to day running of the pub and Sue has been in Leeds.
At a challenging time for the hospitality sector, with covid lockdowns and lost income, the Maguires have had other misfortune.
Rocky suffered a mini stroke in August and had to be rushed into hospital and before that, Sue was in pain for weeks on her visits to Lucie, after breaking her right foot in an accident while staying overnight at a Leeds hotel.
Both are now recovered, but Sue pointed out:
“We have all been under a lot of stress, but are staying positive.
“There’s no point in looking back, so we are planning for the future, thinking about fundraising activities that will enable us to provide a living space and facilities adapted for Lucie’s needs.”
Lucie is also looking ahead, with plans to write a book.
She said:
“I would like to share my experiences and hope it will help others on their way to recovery.”
