More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An author whose leg had to be amputated after she fell over while jogging has released a book to help others overcome life’s unexpected obstacles.
Ella Dove’s world turned upside down when she tripped on a flat track during a run three years ago, sparking an injury that left doctors baffled.
“The surgeon didn’t believe something so serious could happen from just falling over, he thought someone had made a mistake,” she said.
The 28-year-old, who grew up in Larkfield and Ditton, underwent eight different operations over just a few days, including efforts to restart the blood supply by taking veins from her other leg.
However, it quickly became apparent things were not looking good and that amputating the leg was the best way to proceed.
“I didn’t really have time to process it all, but I remember signing the form and have a vivid last image of my foot,” she said.
Ella moved back in with her parents for four months as she began her recovery and waited for a prosthetic leg, slowly relearning how to walk.
She said: “I found it most difficult at first being around children who don’t hide their emotions.
“But now I tell them it’s my special metal leg or joke that I’m a robot, you learn how to say things.
“These days I generally don’t notice people looking. Maybe I’ve got so used to it. It makes me feel quite proud.”
Ella, who also works as a journalist in London, has now released her debut novel based on her experience called Five Steps To Happy, copies of which she recently signed at an event in Maidstone’s Fremlin Walk.
“The book is classed as uplifting fiction,” she said.
“In today’s world where everything is doom and gloom, having that element of positivity is a really good thing, that feeling of triumph over adversity.
“The point of the book is to say there’s always a silver lining and that it’s about learning to view your new situation better.”
