“Everything feels like it’s come to a standstill, and my life has changed entirely.”
More than two years after being struck by a moped while heading to a Mother’s Day meal with her sons in 2022, Loraine White from Leyton, east London, reports that she is still grappling with chronic pain.
A man faced charges for careless driving in connection with the incident, but the case was thrown out by Stratford Magistrates’ Court on 28 November 2022.
Nonetheless, Mrs. White sought legal assistance and successfully pursued a claim against the moped driver’s insurer, resulting in a settlement of approximately £95,000.
Recalling the moment of impact and her fall to the ground, Mrs. White described the pain as “incredible.”
She spent two and a half weeks hospitalized due to a broken tibia, fractured ribs, and facial injuries, all of which continue to hinder her quality of life today.
While expressing gratitude for the £55,000 she received last year after legal expenses, Mrs. White noted that it has provided little relief from her enduring pain.
Navigating her council home of nearly 30 years, she lamented that it was excessively painful.
“The most challenging part for me is living here. The stairs are too steep for me now,” she articulated.
“I used to regularly go to the gym and participate in Pilates,” she shared, noting that those activities have become nearly impossible.
“If I find myself on the ground, I struggle to get back up; I can’t even kneel,” she added.
“I can’t even make it to the gym to use the bike anymore, and as a result, I’ve gained a significant amount of weight.”
“The council was meant to provide me with a walk-in shower over two and a half years ago, but I’m still waiting,” she lamented.
“My life here has turned into a nightmare. I can’t stand it; it brings me to tears. I just want to leave this place.”
Councillor Louise Mitchell, Waltham Forest Council’s cabinet member for adults and health, responded: “Mrs. White has undergone a home assessment by our Occupational Therapy Team and is currently on the list for significant adaptations.
“The Home Adaptations Team will reach out to her this week to check on her situation and schedule an appointment.
“While we cannot discuss Mrs. White’s individual financial circumstances, we want to note that Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) do require means testing.”
