Bus fall injury has made my life a misery.

(From The Portsmouth Evening News)

Byline: Chris Broom

Joan Stickland, 81, fell over on the 1A First bus service in East Street, Fareham, when the driver lurched forward.The sudden movement caused her to fall on to a step towards the back of the bus, gashing her left leg open so badly the bus had to be taken out of service to be cleaned.Since the accident in April 2007, Mrs Stickland, of Alum Way, Fareham, has been unable to pursue her hobbies of gardening, cycling and walking.She's had to make numerous hospital trips, including having an operation under general anaesthetic to have a skin graft.But after lengthy wranglings by solicitors and the threat of county court proceedings, First have made the payout to Mrs Stickland.She said: 'It's changed just about everything in my life, really.'Before this I was quite active. Sometimes I used to walk into town and back again without problem, go cycling and drive, but I can't do any of that now.'I have to rely on my husband and other people a lot more now. I find it so annoying to have to rely on them. ...