Inspiring advocate refuses to let horror highway incident define her

It’s been a long journey for this Toowoomba woman who was involved in a traumatic highway incident. Now two years on, she’s making a difference for people living with disabilities. Read her inspiring tale here.

Turning 18 for most people means embracing their new-found freedom, working towards their dream career or embarking on adventures, but for Ella Boyd, her start to adulthood was sadly very different.

In May 2020, the Toowoomba woman was travelling along the Warrego Highway, just past the Brassall exit, when one of the tyres of the vehicle she was in was punctured.

Pulling the car off the side of the highway, the then 18-year-old woman was changing it when another vehicle crashed into her car and jackknifed the trailer it was towing.

As a result, Ms Boyd was thrown into the air, landed in the trailer and was knocked unconscious.

The horror incident left her with a traumatic head injury and her foot broken in three places, as well as torn ligaments and muscles.

Ella Boyd is fundraising for Youngcare by trekking the Simpson Desert. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Unable to walk, drive or use the bathroom without assistance for months, Ms Boyd was also forced to stop studying her degree so she could focus solely on her recovery.

“I really struggled with the loss of independence, especially being so young, but it could have been so much worse,” she said.

“I’ve never really gotten back to normal but I’m getting used to my new normal.”

Through proactive and ongoing treatment, Ms Boyd managed to recover in many ways, but was later diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – a condition which causes chronic pain, abnormal inflammation and nerve dysfunction.

Now aged 21, the inspiring Toowoomba woman has come a long way.

Next May, she will be embarking on a 225km trek in the Simpson Desert to raise funds and awareness for Youngcare and people living with disabilities.

With a goal to raise $35,000 for the organisation, Ella intends to complete the challenge over the course of nine days.

Ella Boyd is fundraising for Youngcare by trekking the Simpson Desert. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Despite still struggling to walk and dealing with her chronic illness diagnosis, she also lost her health cover for physiotherapy.

“My experience made me realise how hard it is for people living with disabilities to access long-term care and the work Youngcare does in this space is incredible,” she said.

“For so many people, they have someone sitting behind a desk deeming what (health services) should be covered (by insurance) based on what they read on a piece of paper, but they aren’t living your experience.

“I hope times will change and care will be made more accessible, especially for young people.”

It’s not the first time Ella has taken on a challenge for a worthy cause.

In 2018, she also completed the Kokoda Track and donated hundreds of underpants to women living in Papua New Guinea who had minimal access to sanitary items.

To donate, click here.