Tavya Vincet while a student at The Queen's School. - Contributed

IN DECEMBER 2002 20-year-old Tavya May Vincent was a vivacious first-year student at the University of Technology (UTech) pursuing a degree in information technology in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing. Here was a very conscientious young lady, who awoke early every morning without any prompting, to attend classes.

A few years before, while at The Queen's School, she would be ready to leave home at 5:30 in the morning for school. Tavya's was a bubbly personality, always smiling, playful, showing off with her two big dimples. The active young lady engaged in creative dancing at Queen's, won numerous awards and medals in dance in JCDC competitions, and later joined the University Dance Society.

Fateful day

All that changed on Sunday, December 2, 2002, at approximately 6 p.m. On that fateful day, Tavya went to visit her friend, Kirk. She left her home in Kingston at about 4:00 in the afternoon. Tavya went with Kirk in his Toyota Turbo Starlet to drag races in Moneague, St Ann, accompanied by persons in two other cars.

While returning to Kingston, Kirk was overtaking at a high speed and was unable to get back into his lane. On the main road between Linstead and Bog Walk, he collided head-on with a truck, which had actually stopped on his approach. Tavya and Kirk were both wearing seatbelts.

Tavya's mother, Nola Vincent, received a call around 7:00 pm saying her daughter had been in a crash and was taken to Spanish Town Hospital. After hastily calling her church sisters asking for prayers, she went to the hospital with her other daughter, Tara, and neighbours.

On arrival at the hospital around 8:00 p.m., Vincent found her daughter unconscious and unable to move. She had lacerations and a fracture to her left foot. Vincent could hear Kirk moaning nearby. He also had lacerations and broken limbs.

Tavya and Kirk were eventually transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). Kirk recovered well enough to lead a normal life. It is hoped that he no longer has the need to speed, if only in recognition of the extreme stress and discomfort that resulted from the life-changing poor choices he made one Sunday afternoon between 4 and 6 p.m., changes that happened in the blink of an eye.

Tavya remained unconscious for six weeks. She was on oxygen and had to be fed by a tube through her throat.

She stayed in the KPH for six months and was eventually discharged as an out-patient in May 2003 in a vegetative state. She had suffered severe head injuries. By this time, Tavya was in a semi-coma, not very responsive, with little movement, but was able to squeeze her mom's hand.

For two months, she was placed in Mona Rehab Centre, but her lack of cognitive skills limited the ability of the personnel there to help her improve.

Tavya now

Tavya after the crash.

Over time, there have been some increase in movement and responsiveness from Tavya. Her ability to recognise people and things has also improved a little and although her short-term memory is very limited, she can remember some things. She is unable to speak but, happily, is able to smile with her mother and sister.

Unfortunately, over the past three years, as she has strengthened, she has experienced periods of aggressive behaviour, particularly when her caregivers have attempted to attend to her personal needs. When she becomes aggressive, she sometimes has to be restrained. The muscle tone on her right side is good, but her left side is weak.

Cost incurred

Apart from hospital costs and fees for tests, the main expenditure has been on her everyday care. While there is no need for her to receive medication, she requires 24-hour supervision. She can do nothing for herself - she has to be fed, bathed and turned in bed. Her appetite is good.

Impact on the family

The life of Tavya's family has changed irrevocably. There was the initial shock and disbelief. Her family members are concerned about her breathing and they worry about the possibility of her choking, even on soft foods. They are preoccupied in doing all they can to keep her alive.

Her mother lives with guilt and is blamed by Tavya's father for what has happened to his darling daughter. He is, however, very supportive.

Tavya's sister, Tara, was about to enter the University of the West Indies at the time of the crash, but she took her sister's condition so hard that she has put her study plans on hold.

The family has not had the benefit of counselling and the attempts of Nola to do so have been railroaded by the need to provide constant, loving care to her daughter.

They are kept going by a praying church community.

Message to all drivers

Tavya's mother is sending a message to young people that they can have a good time, but they must stay within safe limits and behave responsibly. She exhorts them to take due care, reduce their speed and do not overtake recklessly.

She asks that drivers think about their safety as well as the safety of their passengers. She wishes that young people would think of the consequence of their youthful exuberance.

This story is being shared in the hope that it will touch and influence people to put safety first as they travel on the roads.

The reminder is also given by Nola Vincent that not everyone dies as a result of a crash; many, like her beloved Tavya, live with life-long disabilities.

Paula Fletcher, executive director - National Road Safety Council.