Preston domestic abuse survivor fronts new campaign exposing hidden reality of surviving major trauma

A Preston woman who suffered serious injuries from jumping out of her bedroom window when her abusive ex-partner set her home ablaze is fronting a new trauma awareness campaign.

Emma Martin’s experiences are at the heart of a powerful new awareness campaign from Day One Trauma Support, highlighting the devastating and often hidden reality of life after major trauma. 

Emma was fast asleep when her abusive ex-partner set fire to her home. Awoken by the smoke, Emma’s exit route was already blocked by the fire. She had no other options but to jump out of her bedroom window.

Emma suffered a spinal fracture, complex fractures in both lower legs, and was treated in intensive care for severe smoke inhalation. Undergoing two six-hour surgeries, Emma was moved to the major trauma ward, where she stayed for a month.

But when it came to leaving hospital, the reality of the situation came sharply into focus.

“The hospital staff kept telling me I was going home soon. But I wasn’t. I didn't have a home to go to. My home and everything in it was destroyed in the fire,’’ she said.

“I had to move back in with my family and, for seven months I was largely restricted to bed in their dining room and dependent on other people for almost every part of daily life.

“I felt like I’d lost my dignity. I couldn’t have a bath or a shower, I had no access to a bathroom, I couldn’t make myself a cup of tea. Going from having just got my independence back after leaving a controlling relationship, to suddenly being completely dependent, was incredibly hard.

“Looking back, I think that was the worst part of all of it. I thought I was never going to be able to do anything independently again. I couldn’t see a way forward. I had some really dark thoughts.”

Her experience is at the heart of I lost my life when I didn’t die, a new awareness campaign from Day One Trauma Support launched to mark Major Trauma Awareness Week.

The campaign aims to challenge the widespread assumption that once someone has survived a serious injury and left hospital, their ordeal is over.

Lucy Nickson, Chief Executive of Day One Trauma Support, said: “The frightening reality is that major trauma can happen to any one of us. You’re crossing the road when a car comes out of nowhere. You’re knocked off your bike. You fall down the stairs. In a single moment, the life you knew and the future you had planned can disappear.

“Yet most of us have little understanding of what happens next. We know about the emergency response. We hear about the operations and the incredible work of NHS trauma teams. But what happens when the hospital doors close behind you?

“Survival is not the same as recovery. For many people like Emma, that is when the hardest part begins.”

Current figures estimate that there are around 20,000 cases of major trauma every year in England, although emerging research suggests the true figure could be substantially higher.

Major trauma describes serious injuries that can be life-threatening or life-changing. It can include brain or spinal injuries, serious burns, amputations, multiple fractures or a combination of severe injuries.

While advances in trauma care mean more people are surviving these injuries, the support available after hospital can be far less certain.

“We appreciate that I lost my life when I didn’t die is a stark and potentially distressing message,” continues Lucy Nickson. “But that is exactly why we need to talk about it. 

“Major trauma is devastating. It is more common than people realise, and its impact can last a lifetime.

“We have to be prepared to confront the uncomfortable reality of what happens after survival if we are going to make sure that no one is left to face it alone.”

For Emma, finding Day One Trauma Support was a turning point.

Through the charity, Emma accessed practical support so her son could come and stay while she was in hospital.

“I felt so lonely, like my life was over. I was overwhelmed and had no idea how I would recover,” she said.

“Andrew from Day One came every day when I was in hospital. He and the Day One team went above and beyond, nothing was too much trouble.

“As well as organising a grant towards a wheelchair ramp before I could be discharged into the care of family members at their home, he spoke to my son who took measurements and Andrew helped us actually source a suitable ramp, it’s just that really practical help that takes so much pressure off when you’re in hospital and have lost everything.

“I think if I hadn’t had that support in the early days I wouldn’t have recovered as quickly psychologically. Day One helped all of us in different ways.”

Emma, her daughter and her mum have all accessed counselling through Day One. She gave evidence at her ex-partner’s trial face to face, rather than her initial choice via videolink.

“I wanted to connect with the jury face to face. They offered to put screens up so the defendant could not see me, but I thought to myself, I’ve not done anything wrong. He’s the one who has done this, it should be him hiding, not me.” At the end of the trial, Emma’s ex-partner was convicted of attempted murder and assault.

“When you go through something like this it’s like a whole new world that you don’t understand anything about. It’s the worst time of your life, and it’s just bewildering. Day One were a constant through all of that. I wouldn’t be in the position I am now without that support.”

Day One Trauma Support provides emotional and practical support to people living with the long-term consequences of major physical trauma, helping them navigate the uncertain transition from surviving a life-changing injury to rebuilding a life beyond it.

Because surviving shouldn’t mean facing what comes next alone.

Find out more about major trauma and the I lost my life when I didn’t die campaign at dayonetrauma.org