Nurse returns to work after life-changing crash
A London nurse who woke from a car crash to find herself paralysed below the waist has defied expectations by returning to work.
Candice Montefalcon was visiting relatives in the Philippines when her vehicle rolled over several times ending up in a roadside ditch.
Candice and her husband Silvano were travelling with their two small children to the airport in the small hours of the morning when they hit by another vehicle.
Miraculously, no-one else was seriously hurt but Candice woke to be told she might never walk again.
An added concern was the family had no travel insurance so no way of getting her home on a repatriated flight. Colleagues at
Northwick Park Hospital swung into action helping raised more than £30,000 along with a nurse who volunteered to fly out to the Philippines and accompany Candice home.
“I was asleep when the collision happened and woke up to find my world had changed.”
The senior staff nurse, who has worked in the hospital's A&E department for ten years, says she was overwhelmed by the support and the promise that she would always have a job to come back to.
“It has been tough, but I wanted to show my kids that no matter what happens in life, you have to keep going. I've had the odd look or two from patients wondering if I am up to the job but am so glad to be back. The worst thing would be being stuck at home.”
Candice works in Pit Stop which handles ambulance arrivals and triages patients. It is not a job for the faint-hearted with Northwick Park receiving the highest number of 'blue lights' in the UK.
She works three six-hour shifts travelling into work with husband Silvanos who works in the same department as an A&E technician.
“You realise how much you take for granted when you are able-bodied like getting around, going to the toilet and even finding a workspace.
"I was apprehensive about coming back to work, but everyone has been so welcoming, besides A&E is so busy you do not have time to think about it too much."