Mother in a coma following a car collision, leaving concerned family and friends in despair.
In the city of Karasuk, Novosibirsk region, on August 4, 2024, Valeria Raikhsel's life took an unexpected turn. A car accident on Prospekt Mira left her with severe injuries, changing the course of her life forever.
Valeria, a mother of three, was traveling in a Toyota Corona when it collided with a Chevrolet Niva SUV. The impact was significant, causing Valeria to lose consciousness and spend almost a month in a coma. Upon waking up, she found herself in the intensive care unit of the Karasuk Central District Hospital surrounded by four doctors.
The doctors diagnosed Valeria with severe encephalopathy, coma, mild brain contusion, and closed head injury. Her right hand was weak, and her balance was severely affected. The accident left an indelible mark on her life, but it also sparked a remarkable journey of recovery.
Valeria spent the following months undergoing rehabilitation, facing common challenges faced by victims of severe brain injuries. Physical impairments, such as difficulties with balance and movement, were a daily struggle. Many patients experience hemiparesis (weakness on one side), loss of proprioception (sense of limb position), fatigue, and impaired gait, making walking and other motor functions challenging.
Cognitive deficits, including problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving, also complicated Valeria's daily functioning and therapy participation. Emotional and behavioral issues, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and difficulty managing stress, impacted her recovery motivation and social reintegration.
Speech and communication difficulties were another hurdle Valeria had to overcome. However, through daily exercises and the support of her loved ones, she managed to regain muscle strength and make significant strides in her recovery.
By December, Valeria was able to stand on her own. It was a moment of triumph, made even more special by the fact that it was the same month she received a compensation of 600,000 rubles for the month spent in a coma, as well as 600,000 rubles in moral damages.
Valeria's late aunt Ira, who passed away three years ago, played a significant role in her recovery. In a dream, Valeria's aunt slapped her and told her to "Get up!", helping her to wake up from the coma.
The culprit of the accident, Dmitry D, has been sentenced to 3 years and 2 months in a settlement colony and prohibited from driving vehicles for 2 years and 6 months. Dmitry did not apologize in court for his actions, but Valeria remains hopeful for a brighter future.
Valeria dreams of using a treadmill during her rehabilitation and continues to undergo treatment every three months. Her three-year-old son was cared for by relatives during her rehabilitation, but she looks forward to being able to care for him again.
Victims of severe brain injuries face a prolonged, multifaceted rehabilitation journey demanding consistent medical oversight, multidisciplinary therapy, and supportive environments to overcome the intertwined physical, cognitive, emotional, and logistical barriers to recovery. Valeria Raikhsel's story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of determination in the face of adversity.
- Valeria's car accident on Prospekt Mira in Karasuk, Novosibirsk region, involved two vehicles, a Toyota Corona and a Chevrolet Niva SUV.
- After waking up from a coma, Valeria was diagnosed with several health conditions including encephalopathy, coma, mild brain contusion, and closed head injury.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, Valeria struggled with both physical impairments such as balance and movement issues, and cognitive deficits like memory and attention problems.
- Mental-health issues also arose for Valeria, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty managing stress, further complicating her recovery.
