A generous helper in need of help

Occupational therapist Vicki Sciberras, 37, knows she can never walk again, following a tragic accident in March.

But, from her bed in Sir Paul Boffa Hospital's spinal unit, there is not a hint of depression and she can only describe her cruel fate as "the beginning of a new lifestyle".

Vicki's strength, charisma and positive attitude towards a situation that would floor almost anyone is nothing less than remarkable. Two minutes into a calm and resigned conversation about the fact that she is wheelchair-bound, it is not difficult to understand why she is engulfed in love and surrounded by friends, who are appealing for contributions to enable her to resume her "independent life and continue with her mission".

Ironically that "mission" was helping those in whose situation she is today: wheelchair-dependent.

For Vicki "life experiences prepare us for what we are going to go through and God never gives us more than we can handle. Nothing happens for nothing".

Vicki had specialised in neuro-rehabilitation and, until recently, had worked unstintingly towards the goal of rehabilitating the elderly and children with disabilities to help them regain control of their lives.

Now, she needs help to gain control of her own, though she appears to be more in control than any mere mortal and in a position to help others herself.

Having spent 14 years of her life working with people who were in her current position, Vicki feels her situation could have been much worse. "I am lucky that I still have a brain and hands that I can still use," are her impressive words.

Vicki used to lead an active life... until something happened to change it drastically. On March 10, a moving coach struck her while she was getting out of a car in Mosta. She does not recall anything of the fateful accident, except that she was simply going about her life.

But there is not a trace of bitterness in her voice and, while many of us have doubts about our future as it is, Vicki is optimistic about her immobile life ahead.

"Although I would not be able to handle patients directly, I can still lecture and am sure there would be other openings."

She could do consultation work and, through her first-hand experience, get involved in, for example, adapting houses for persons with disability.

Vicki was preparing to get married in May. The wedding has been postponed: "I am a toothless monster", she jokes, "and cannot get married as I am".

Her boyfriend, who was more shocked than she, is a rock of support and "it is at such a time that you understand how much people really love you".

She points out that "you cannot only think of your own pain; the people around you suffer as much".

Vicki intends to get married later and is, for the moment, trying to live day by day.

"I know I can never walk again but I also know that through rehabilitation I can still lead an independent life, obviously not without difficulty."

Vicki is trying to go abroad for rehabilitation to the specialised spinal injury centre at Stoke Mandeville, in the UK, with which, through her work experience, she is more than well-acquainted. The centre teaches patients how to be as independent as possible in a wheelchair.

Her rehabilitation is expected to incur substantial costs and her family and friends are appealing to the public's generosity.

They feel it is their turn to help her "hold the reins of her life once again" and to overcome the major hurdle she has encountered so that she can go back to her work - helping others.

"Vicki is a loving and generous person and has touched the hearts of everyone who has had the honour of making her acquaintance.

"She has a strong personality and a great will to live," her friends said in their appeal for help.

But, for Vicki, if it were not for their love and support, she would not have so much courage.

"Sometimes it is so overwhelming that I do not know which is the biggest - their love, or my suffering. That is my experience in a nutshell."

Vicki even finds the energy to be thrilled about the laptop computer her friends have given her and took the opportunity to thank the dedicated staff of the ITU and the Orthopaedic Ward at St Luke's Hospital and Sir Paul Boffa.

Her positive approach is evident in her SMSs to her family and friends: "Bonjour! Never have I appreciated the dawn of a new day like I do now. I find myself looking forward to the new little progress I will make in therapy today"; "Just discovered I can stick out my tongue, without opening my mouth because of missing teeth. Bet you cannot do it!"; "Is it not great to be able to do things on your own? This morning I rolled from sideways to face up, lifting my legs with my arms".

Contributions towards helping Vicki may be sent to the Occupational Therapy Department of Zammit Clapp Hospital, St Julian's, or deposited in The Vicki Fund at HSBC, account no. 058-146515-050.

Messages can also be sent to her on Vicki@supermalta.com.