Bush jockey who suffered a devastating accident that almost killed her reveals how she uses BOTOX to treat her injuries
- Leigh Woodgate was riding a horse during a jumps competition in 1994
- Her horse landed badly and she fell off hitting her head on the ground
- She was left with numerous broken bones and unable to walk
- The 50-year-old now uses Botox to help with spasticity
A woman who was horrifically injured while competing as a jump jockey has revealed how she uses Botox as a treatment for her legs.
Leigh Woodgate, 50, was leading a race in rural Victoria in 1994 when her horse got tired and he buckled after making a jump - sending her flying head first into the ground.
She suffered two broken shoulders, punctured lungs, a broken jaw and five broken ribs.
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Leigh Woodgate, 50, was involved in horse racing in rural Victoria from a young age - however the sport she loved almost ended her life in 1994
The inspirational speaker was near the lead during the July 1 race and almost at the finish line. Her horse, Winter Coal, got tired and he buckled on landing after making a jump
Her teeth were wired in, her left hip was broken and her third optic nerve in her left eye died.
The accident put her in a coma for 17 days and leaving her with a severe brain injury.
'I had to learn how to breathe without pain and swallow - they were the main things,' she said.
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'I had to do it for survival - it wasn't a choice. I just had to do it.'
However, her injuries were far more severe than first thought - ten years later she found out her right ankle had been broken in five places and doctors hadn't realised as she'd previously been in a wheel chair.
Her ankle was fused and she has had five eye operations over the years.
When she got out of the chair a lot of physiotherapists indicated that her legs would not progress from there - until she went to another doctor and started using Botox as a treatment for her spasticity.
Despite the negative outlook from physiotherapists the former jumps jockey was not to be deterred and approached Dr Jacqueline Reznik, who worked in Israel at the time, for treatment.
That is when Ms Woodgate was introduced to using Botox injections in her legs to help with spasticity.
Since she has been getting injections from Dr Barry Rawicki, a specialist physiotherapist.
After Ms Woodgate no longer needed a wheelchair a lot of physiotherapists indicated that her legs would not progress from there. But the former jumps jockey was not to be deterred and approached Dr Jacqueline Reznik, who worked in Israel at the time, for treatment
Ms Woodgate said there is a massive difference in her legs when she has the Botox in her system compared to when it isn't.
She pairs the Botox with regular physio appointments to build the strength in her legs.
'Without the Botox my legs will spasm more. I ride a lot better when the Botox is in my system because I'm able to activate all the right muscles,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'My knees don't rub when I am riding so I'm using less plasters and Benadine. I trip over a lot less. I am able to walk a lot quicker. Everything is a lot easier. It's amazing.'
Ms Woodgate said to those looking into Botox it is important to get the right neurosurgeon and neuro-physiotherapist.
Ms Woodgate fell head first into the ground - putting her in a coma for 17 days and leaving her with a severe brain injury
'Go for it - be willing to put the work in. You must put the work in to get the full effect of the Botox,' she said.
As of September 1 Australian survivors of health woes such as stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury who suffer from involuntary muscle movements have had access to Botox through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Ms Woodgate said it is wonderful that more people have access to the medication.
Ms Woodgate has travelled a long road to getting to where she is health-wise now.
She said she doesn't remember much of the accident.
'I remember going down with the foreman to the float and I can remember I can top weight and I was worried about the horse,' she said.
'Next I remember waking up [in hospital] and not knowing what had happened to me.'
The inspirational speaker was near the lead during the July 1 race and almost at the finish line.
Her horse, Winter Coal, got tired and he buckled on landing after making a jump.
Her mother, Val, had to make sure to hang pictures of family and key milestones around the hospital room so Ms Woodgate would remember her life.
Ms Woodgate was left with two broken shoulder, punctured both her lungs, her jaw was broken in four places and five ribs were broken. Her teeth were wired in, her left hip was broken and her third optic nerve in her left eye died
Professor John Olver, one of Australia's renowned rehabilitation Professors and Director of Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Chronic Pain Clinical Institute at the Epworth, said the government reimbursement will help thousands.
'There are thousands of Australians living with the effects of stroke, brain or spinal injury, many of whom are also dealing with spasticity,' he said.
'Being able to do basic day-to-day tasks like wear shoes and socks correctly, go to the bathroom without assistance, or walk without pain, have the potential to make an enormous improvement to their quality of life.
'Providing broader access to further treatment options is a critical commitment we need to make to this community living day to day with the devastation of neurological injury. We also need to consider the impact to their families and carers.'
He said it is extremely important for people with focal spasticity of the lower limbs to see the help of a medical practitioner when choosing treatments.
That is when Ms Woodgate was introduced to using botox injections in her legs to help with spasticity
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