Her dream inspires Ashleigh to beat odds

Feb 16 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A YOUNG entrepreneur who confounded doctors to walk again after a car crash has taken the big step of opening her own business.

Ashleigh James thought her dream of opening her own spa was over when she was paralysed by the accident in 2002, but her grit and determination to recover has culminated in the opening of Spa Neo in Cleadon Village.

“The car crash was a very painful time in my life. I was completely paralysed down my left hand side and the doctors thought I would never walk again,” said the 26-year-old from South Shields.

“The accident had cut my career overnight, but I was so focused on one day running my own spa, I went back to South Tyneside and Newcastle Colleges and gained my beauty, holistic and sports massage diplomas.”

During two years of treatment and physiotherapy, she was able to move from a wheelchair to a Zimmer frame and learn to walk again.

Her determination was recognised when she was presented with the Shaw Trust’s Award of Achievement by North East businessman and Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne. She said: “Duncan was brilliant and very supportive, he even offered me a job in one of his health clubs, but I knew deep down the desire I had to run my own business.”