The horrific motorcycle accident that almost killed Highland judo star Stephanie Inglis has not affected her ambition to win another medal.
Home, safe and sound, the fighter who was given only a “1% chance” of survival, last night spoke of her joy at being alive and home.
And, while continuing to recuperate, she said she was adamant that she would again compete at the highest level.
With her head covered to protect her skull which took the brunt of the crash damage, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist is making steady progress.
Her memory is gradually restoring itself, she loves her food and gentle exercise is helping the recovery process.
“It’s a long road to recovery but I’m feeling good just now,” said 27-year-old Stephanie.
“I enjoy a nice long lie. The bed’s nice and comfy. It was awful in the hospital so I’m catching up on some sleep.”
Her only previous need for a hospital was a year ago to have a knee reconstructed after a rare nasty moment in judo.
“I’m having physio. I’m on the bike about 10 minutes at a time and doing some walking,” she said.
Stephanie remains overwhelmed by the generosity of supporters from the judo world and beyond who rallied to raise more than £300,000 in superfast time to help meet her medical bills after word spread that complex cross-border rules meant her travel insurance proved invalid when most needed.
“It makes me feel so lucky to be part of that ‘family’. Without that, I might not have been here today,” she said.
“Friends in Inverness rallied round and spread the word. A lot of Inverness companies made donations, which was really nice, and my family were there every step of the way.”
Stephanie arrived home last week, three months after the accident in which her skirt got caught in the wheel of a motorcycle taxi while journeying home from work – a side-saddle passenger – in Vietnam, where she was teaching English to underprivileged children.
“I remember teaching my kids in the morning but I don’t remember anything of the accident or even when I was in Vietnam or Bangkok hospitals.
“I think that was the scariest bit, when I woke up in an Edinburgh hospital, didn’t have a clue what was going on and my mum and dad were there. They told me I’d been in a motorbike accident. I was kind of like ‘wooah, this is unreal’.”
She clearly has no fear, however, having set herself an ambitious challenge for the next few years.
“I’m quite determined,” she said. “The doctors might advise me not to go back to judo but I’ll argue with them. I don’t know if I’ll reach the same competitive level but I’ve got to give myself that chance.
“I wouldn’t be getting thrown – I would be doing the throwing.
“Judo’s not in the next Commonwealth Games but it is after that, so I’d like to do one more Commonwealth Games, which is South Africa in 2022. I do think I’ll be able to come back in time to claim that top spot and get to the games.”
She needs further surgery but, all going well, a family holiday to Disneyworld, postponed because of the accident, should be back on the agenda for later this year.
