Woman Who Lost Her Legs In Railway Suicide Attempt Speaks Out About Turning Her Life Around | HuffPost Life

Woman Who Lost Her Legs In Railway Suicide Attempt Turns Her Life Around

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A mum has told of the horrific moment she lost her legs, after lying in front of a train in an attempt to take her own life.

Helen Galsworthy was just 18 years old when she walked on to the tracks close to her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Suffering from depression and addicted to cocaine, she wanted to end her life.

But she moved just as the train approached - taking off both legs below the knee.

Helen was conscious for just long enough to see her detached legs lying on the track. Thankfully, a passing dog walker found her and she was rushed to hospital.

Now, seven years later, 25-year-old Helen says she can finally talk about the ordeal and coming to terms with being an amputee.

And she is moving on with her life after having a little boy, Thomas.

Helen, who now lives in Chandler's Ford, said: "When I lost my legs I thought my life was over, but now I have so much to live for. Thomas has made me realise that I’m here for a reason.”

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The 25-year-old had a respectable upbringing at a private in school in Hampshire. But bullying left her self-esteem in tatters, and when she was 18 she became involved with drugs and dropped out of university – where she was studying for a degree in Media.

Hitting rock bottom, she felt that suicide was the only way out.

She said: “Strangely I felt really happy. I was more at peace than I had been for a long time. I just lay down and shut my eyes and put some music on waiting for when I got hit by the train but it didn’t go to plan.

“I moved slightly at the last minute and ended up with just my legs across the tracks. I remember thinking, ‘Oh god, I’ve really messed this up’.

“I could see a lot of blood and the end of my jeans were cut off. It was agonising. I couldn’t believe what had happened, I lay down there to die, not to end up disabled."

Story continues below...

Common Mental Health Myths

You Are Not Sick (01 of11)

MYTH: Bipolar disorder just means mood swingsFACT: Bipolar disorder is an illness with severe mood swings. Often, bipolar can interfere with one’s daily functioning, and sometimes can even lead to suicide, according to Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and president of Global Medical Education. (credit:Gettystock )

Am I Cured?(02 of11)

MYTH: Once you feel better you can stop taking your medicationFACT: Almost all patients with psychiatric illness need maintenance treatment for a while, even if they start "feeling better." Masand says this is to prevent relapses and recurrences, similar to diabetes and heart disease patients. (credit:Gettystock Gettystock )

Your Relationship Is To Blame(03 of11)

MYTH: Psychiatric illness is a result of bad relationshipsFACT: All psychiatric illnesses have a genetic component and an environmental component, Masand says. A bad relationship, for example, is only one of several factors. (credit:Gettystock )

You Can't Handle It (04 of11)

MYTH: Psychiatric illnesses are due to weak character or inadequate coping skillsFACT: Psychiatric illnesses are medical illnesses with several origins like all other illnesses, Masand says. Just because you cry easily or can't cope with personal problems, it doesn't make you weak or more likely to be mentally ill. (credit:Gettystock )

It Will Go Away (05 of11)

MYTH: Depression is just sadness that will go awayFACT: Depression is a serious medical illness with morbidity and mortality, Masand says. Not all people show obvious signs of being depressed either. While some seek medication or go to therapy to cope, Masand says others try exercise, yoga or meditation. On the flip side, if someone is often sad or emotional, it doesn't necessarily mean they are depressed. (credit:Gettystock )

You Won't Have A 'Normal' Life (06 of11)

MYTH: Once you have depression or bipolar disorder, you will never achieve your full potential or live a 'normal' life FACT: Some of the most successful people in various fields have had depression or bipolar disorder, including Isaac Newton, Beethoven, Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey, Masand says. People who go through a mental illness may also feel they can't ever get back to a "normal life." This is another myth. Someone with a mental illness can still function, go to work, raise a family or perform any other task. (credit:Gettystock )

Suicide Isn't Really A Big Problem(07 of11)

MYTH: Suicide is not a big problem in our societyFACT: You may not know someone who has committed suicide, but this doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In 2009, for example, suicide accounted for 3,890 deaths in Canada among both genders, and according to Statistics Canada, mental illness is the most important risk factor. In the U.S., Masand says suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in 2007. (credit:Gettystock )

If You Seek Help, You Are Weak (08 of11)

MYTH: Treatment for psychiatric illness is a cop-out for weak peopleFACT: Treatment is necessary for psychiatric illnesses like it is for other medical illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, Masand says. This myth is also commonly believed because finding help or telling people close to you about your illnesses can also lead to shaming and embarrassment. (credit:Gettystock )

They Are Just 'Crazy'(09 of11)

MYTH: All patients with schizophrenia are dangerousFACT: If you've ever seen schizophrenia or mental health portrayed in mainstream media, you might just think everyone who is mentally ill is "crazy." Only a small proportion of patients with schizophrenia can be violent and this is usually because they are untreated, Masand says. (credit:Gettystock )

Just Get Over It (10 of11)

MYTH: Talk therapy is just whining FACT: Several types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can be just as effective as medication in treating depression and anxiety disorders. (credit:Gettystock )

Blame ADHD (11 of11)

MYTH: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a new way to explain bad behaviourFACT: ADHD is a psychiatric illness with a well-described constellation of symptoms and proven treatments. And while common symptoms of ADHD include difficulty paying attention or procrastination, people may also self-diagnose their children with ADHD because of bad behaviour, according to SheKnows.com (credit:Gettystock )

After six weeks in hospital Helen was discharged, but she struggled to cope without her legs.

Helen said: “I didn’t think anyone would want me and I thought I’d never be able to achieve the things I had wanted in life like getting married and having children.

“For a long time life was unbearable until 2011 when I fell pregnant with Thomas.

“Thomas wasn’t planned and I thought I had put my body through too much to ever be able to conceive,” said Helen.

“But I had always wanted to be a mum. His dad and I split not long after he was born but he is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

And now Helen has started university again, studying for a degree in criminology. She's even taken part in a skydive to raise money for an amputee charity and volunteers on the psychiatric ward where she was once a patient.

She said: “Losing my legs was devastating but now I’m just happy that I survived.

“There was a time when I didn’t want to live but now I’m a mum and my life has a meaning.

“After I lost my legs I thought I’d be alone forever but now I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”

If you've been affected by the issues in this article, please call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

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