Surviving a catastrophic injury, Caroline aims to motivate others

Caroline Laner Breure’s life took an unexpected turn during a holiday in Barcelona. A police car hit her, launching her 13 meters and causing severe brain injuries. Despite being given a less than five percent chance of survival and facing a future of potentially permanent coma, Caroline’s story is one of incredible resilience.

The accident occurred on September 9, 2019, when a police vehicle, responding to an emergency without its sirens, collided with Caroline. The impact was so severe that her brain was almost torn in half. She was in a coma for four months and underwent multiple surgeries to remove part of her skull to reduce swelling.

Doctors warned of a grim prognosis. Yet, Caroline defied the odds. She woke up without remembering the incident. Learning to breathe, swallow, and move again was just the start of her journey back to life. She had to relearn walking, talking, and even recognizing her own mother. English became her primary language, aided by watching episodes of “Friends.”

After a year of battling through recovery in Australia, Caroline’s reflection on her accident strengthened her resolve. Despite the challenges, including physical and cognitive rehabilitation, she felt more resilient. The legal battle for compensation and the personal changes she experienced, including the end of her relationship and differences in how friends treated her, marked a new chapter in her life.

Now residing in Portugal, Caroline focuses on growing her vegan sneaker brand, No Saints. Her daily life involves a constant battle with pain and confusion, but she finds moments of triumph. She co-authored a book, “Broken Girl,” with Bradley Trevor Grieve, sharing her story to inspire others facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Caroline’s recovery is a testament to her strength and determination. Her experience, detailed in “Broken Girl,” offers hope and motivation to anyone facing their own battles.

Caroline Laner Breure’s ordeal underscores the unpredictability of life and the power of human resilience. From the brink of death to relearning the simplest tasks, her journey is a source of inspiration. Facing life after such a traumatic event, Caroline chooses to focus on her achievements, her ongoing recovery, and her determination to inspire others with her story.