Family speak movingly about impact of young mum's brain injury

Libby Jacobs, who is 24, also sustained a catalogue of injuries, including a torn aorta, perforated bowel and liver, as well as a ruptured spleen, when the car she was a passenger in was involved in a collision near Normanton-on-the-Wolds.

She spent several weeks in intensive care before, at the end of February, being transferred to a specialist brain injury unit where she remains nearly five months after the collision.

The incident has had a devastating impact on Libby’s life – she has a little boy called Hunter and was nearing the end of her two-year front-of-house and kitchen management apprenticeship at The Flying Childers pub, in Kirby Bellars, when it happened.

Her mum, Yvonne (50) said: “It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe what the last few months have been like for our family.

“Seeing Libby in hospital after the crash was absolutely awful. We were just hoping she would pull through, and we’re so thankful that she has.

“However, she struggled to speak and was unable to do anything for herself.

"While Libby has started making some progress and can now do some basic things most people take for granted, such as washing her face and brushing her teeth, if she spends any time out of bed it’s only for a few minutes before she starts suffering with fatigue.

“Before the collision Libby was working hard to provide a future for Hunter. Her world revolved around him, so for them to be apart for so long has been incredibly difficult."

Libby, who has four sisters and two brothers, was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra when it was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Mokka on the A606 Melton Road at around 8.20pm on December 27.

Nottinghamshire Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Yvonne added: “We spend as much time as we can at hospital with Libby, but she faces many hours alone and really struggles with the isolation especially being away from Hunter.”

Yvonne and Libby’s father, Simon (56) have instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help secure the specialist rehabilitation and therapies Libby requires.

Georgie Wilson, the injury lawyer representing Libby’s family said: “The last few months has been incredibly emotional for Libby and the rest of her family.

“While medics have stabilised Libby’s condition, she still faces an uncertain future and many challenges to overcome her injuries.

“Yvonne and Simon’s focus is now on ensuring an appropriate care package can be put in place allowing Libby to return home.”

The family wanted to highlight Libby’s story during Action for Brain Injury Week, organised by the charity Headway this week, and which aims to highlight the challenges faced by survivors and their families.

This year’s theme focuses on the isolation people can face following a brain injury.

More than £3,000 has so far been raised on a GoFundMe online page set up by well-wishers to support the family, including helping to fund the cost of travel and parking at hospital each day.

Go to www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-libby-hunter-and-the-jacobs-family if you would like to pledge money for Libby.