Wales Air Ambulance saved her – Now she's to run 26 miles
Hannah Watson, a dental nurse from Manchester, is preparing to run the Dublin Marathon in October in support of the charity.
She credits them with giving her a second chance at life following a serious horseback riding accident in 2017.
Ms Watson said: "It's a reflection on how lucky I am to reach 30 and all the things I've managed to do post-accident and all the help I received.
"It's been a long road to recovery, but I've made positive progress this past year especially."
The experienced rider was injured during a British Eventing competition in Llanymynech, suffering three brain bleeds and four fractured vertebrae.
Dr Graham Mayers, the Wales Air Ambulance consultant who treated her at the scene, said: "It was clear that Hannah had a serious injury which would get worse due to brain swelling if it wasn't controlled quickly with advanced medical care.
"Hannah was given an anaesthetic which allowed us to put her on a breathing machine.
"This is one of the most important interventions in preventing brain swelling."
Ms Watson was transported to hospital once stabilised.
When she regained consciousness, she was paralysed on her right side and experienced memory loss.
She said: "I was initially bed-bound, which was hugely frustrating, as I am such an independent person.
"I had to learn to walk, write, and improve my speech, all the things I had taken for granted before.
"It's been a difficult journey, and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way."
To mark her 30th birthday, she wanted to do something 'special' and decided to take on the marathon in Dublin.
She said: "I am ticking off one of my bucket list wishes and competing in the Dublin Marathon in October.
"I couldn't be happier to be running in aid of Wales Air Ambulance, the charity means so much to me and my family, I am alive because of the service."
Ms Watson continues to visit her horse Beau daily, and fits her training around work and her care routine.
She said: "I go to see Beau before work, and I go to him straight after too, so I only have time to run quite late in the evening.
"Oftentimes, I don't sit down to eat tea until 9.30pm."
Although she was advised not to ride again, Ms Watson said returning to the saddle helped her recovery.
She said: "I was advised not to get back on him by the clinical team that looked after me, but to be honest riding Beau helped my recovery both mentally and physically.
"My riding these days is a lot more casual and fun, a lot less intense and more about enjoying being out in the countryside."
This is not her first fundraiser for the charity.
She has previously raised more than £2,400 through a 10k run and the Manchester Half Marathon.
Kate Thomas, regional fundraising manager for Powys, said: "Happy 30th birthday Hannah, from all the Wales Air Ambulance team.
"We are so proud of Hannah's achievements over the past few years.
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