A mile in the shoes of a youth road safety advocate
On an ordinary night 18 years ago, Tasmanian student Kirby Barker fell asleep at the wheel on her way home. Just three weeks out from graduating as a teacher and taking off to Japan to teach and model, Kirby instead found herself in hospital, waking up from a ten-day coma and facing a future in which she may never walk again.
WORDS: Sarah Aitken
IMAGES: Stu Gibson
“I was almost home,” remembers Kirby of that night in 2005. “I remember the drive. I remember feeling tired, but it never occurred to me that I would fall asleep. I went nose first into a ditch, breaking both lower legs. My car then flipped in the air and I opened my eyes as I came crashing into a concrete culvert.”
The impact shattered her face. She had multiple major trauma: a total of thirteen shattered bones.
“I screamed and screamed,” she says. “I could only see bushes around me and I thought that no one would find me. I knew that my face was badly hurt and I prayed that I would die.”
Unbeknownst to her, Kirby had crashed right outside a house. The husband and wife inside heard the catastrophe and came to her aid.
“The lady stayed inside and called for help, while the man came outside and comforted me. I’m still in touch with them and will always remember the amazing support and kindness they gave me during my worst moments.
“When emergency services arrived, one ambulance officer climbed into the back of the car and calmly spoke to me and asked me questions. I’ll always be grateful for her.”
Kirby was rushed to hospital and had many surgeries, including a tracheostomy (a procedure that opens the windpipe from outside the neck). She had blood transfusions, reconstructive and plastic surgery and a skin graft.
Her rehabilitation program was long and arduous. It included physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics and ongoing care from orthopaedic, plastic and oral maxillofacial specialists. She needed to learn how to breathe, swallow, talk, eat and drink all over again. She stayed in hospital for seven weeks, then spent four months in a wheelchair and one and a half years with moon boots and crutches.
Kirby did manage to walk again. She also completed her studies, with her proud family cheering her on every step of the way. She’s now a full time primary school teacher, an occasional actor, and a passionate road safety advocate. She lives a full and grateful life. She even wrote a book about it all, called Better Days. Kirby puts her successful recovery down to her resolve and the strength of her parents.
“Through hard work, sheer determination, resilience, and support, particularly from my incredible parents, I did walk again, and I continue to,” she says.
Kirby is still passionate about travel and new experiences, but she has to take care. She feels the physical effects of her accident every day and will do so for the rest of her life.
“I’m still impacted by my accident today,” she confirms. “I have regular medical appointments and continue to have procedures and surgeries. This will be lifelong.
“I also have to be mindful of how far I walk and the activities that I do during the day as my ankles often become swollen and painful.”
When she’s not working hard educating young Tasmanians, Kirby loves to travel within the state, including regular road trips and careful hikes, plus some overseas adventures. She also enjoys reading, cooking, wheel pottery, acting, volunteering, yoga and pilates. Finding the silver lining of her traumatic experience, she says her accident has ensured she never takes life for granted.
“I have lived every day since my accident by the motto, ‘You only live life once, sometimes twice!’,” she laughs. “Therefore, I try to make the most of all opportunities, practice gratitude, and live life to the fullest. I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, so I pursued this, although doing my degree with two broken legs was tough!
Kirby’s advocacy work since her accident has led to her being the face of National Road Safety Week this year. Her advocacy started the moment she woke up in that hospital bed.
“When I woke up from a coma, I could not talk. I used a whiteboard to communicate and a journal to write down my thoughts and feelings. When I got home from the hospital, my Mum suggested that I turn my journal into a book. Apart from physio and other medical appointments, I didn't have a lot else to do for a year and a half while I learned how to walk again, so I did just that! The following year I published my book. I guess this was the start of my advocacy. If I could help just one other person to identify the signs of driver fatigue, then my job was done.”
She’s since done public speaking, book talks and media interviews, written articles about her experience and taken the road safety discussion to various high schools and colleges across Tasmania.
“When I share my story with others, I find that many people also have a narrative relating to feeling sleepy behind the wheel. I think that most people believe it won’t actually happen to them. By putting a face to road safety, I believe that we can bring the issue of driver fatigue, in particular, to life in a more tangible way.”
She sees the main dangers when it comes to road safety and young drivers as: inexperience, inattention, fatigue, intoxication, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt. All are preventable and as she says, “one single moment can change the trajectory of your life.
“Let's work together to ensure that we have zero accidents on Tasmanian roads. This starts with conversation and continuing awareness campaigns.”
You can find out more about Kirby's story and purchase her inspiring memoir 'Better Days' on her website.
Kirby’s safety tips for young drivers
· Give driving your full attention
· Think safety first
· Listen to your body
· Pull over if you feel tired
· Ensure your car is registered, insured and regularly serviced
· Beware of other drivers
· Be patient