Inspirational burns victim Sophie Delezio, 19, who survived two horror car crashes as a child reveals why she's GRATEFUL she went through the awful tragedies - as she embarks on a new chapter in her life
- Sophie Delezio says happiness is a choice and we should all look at the positives
- At age two, Sophie was trapped under a car on fire and suffered severe burns
- Before the age of six she was thrown 18 metres after being hit by a motorist
- Despite her pain and suffering, Sophie says she is grateful for her experiences
A young burns victim who survived two horrific car crashes before the age of six has opened up on why she counts herself lucky.
Sophie Delezio, now 19, captured the hearts of Australians as a two-year-old when she was left with horrific burns after becoming trapped under a burning car which collided into a Sydney daycare centre.
Although Sophie lost both feet, an ear, many of her fingers and emerged with burns to 85 per cent of her body, most Australians remember her joyful smile in the wake of the shocking accident.
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Sophie Delezio (pictured at 19) appeared on the ABC program Anh's brush with fame to discuss her life
The girl captured the hearts of millions of Australians after surviving two near-fatal incidents when she was just a child (pictured in 2005 at the Variety Heart Awards)
After a remarkable recovery, disaster struck yet again in 2006 when Sophie was thrown 18 metres from her wheelchair at a pedestrian crossing.
The second incident left her with a broken jaw, collarbone, nine fractured ribs, punctured lungs, two fractured vertebrae and a brain injury.
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Despite all of this, she says she's grateful.
'Everything you go through there is always going to be some positive even though you might not see it at the time,' Sophie told comedian Anh Do on ABC program Anh's Brush With Fame.
Sophie Delezio (pictured) has moved to London to pursue her dreams of living on her own overseas after she miraculously survived two near-fatal car accidents as a child
The then-two-year-old was left fighting for her life at the age of two after she was trapped beneath a burning car, which crashed into her daycare centre in 2003 (pictured leaving hospital after recovering from the horrific crash in 2004)
'My parents at the time of the accident, all they could see was what was the horror of what was happening at the time... and it was horrible. But look at how much positivity it has brought.
'Everything is a choice. You can choose not to see the positive in things. You can choose to just focus on the negatives and wallow in pity.
'Everyone is allowed to grieve but you also need to look at the beauty in the world.'
Now 19 years old, Sophie has just returned to Australia following a stint studying sociology and international relations at the University of London in the UK.
'Sophie is a very determined young woman,' her proud father Ron told The Weekly last year ahead of her departure.
Now 19-years-old, Sophie (pictured in England with friend) has just returned to Australia following a stint studying sociology and international relations at the University of London in the UK
Sophie (pictured) says happiness is a choice and there is always a positive side of every situation
'She has had to be determined and strong all her life. After everything that she has endured in the past 15 years, her just being alive is a testament to how determined she really is.
'She has had a plan to live overseas for at least a couple of years and she's been quietly working toward that goal the entire time.'
Happiness is a choice, according to Sophie, who says there is always a positive side of every situation.
'I went through a lot and I've suffered a lot. I've been in pain and it's horrible but I've got to look at all the joy that has happened,' she said.
Comedian Anh Do painted this stunning portrait of the inspirational Sophie Delezio
The Sydney native said goodbye temporarily to her parents Carolyn and Ron and her brother Mitchell (pictured) to begin her new adventure
With the help of prosthetic legs and her motorised wheelchair, she has explored the UK with friends, going to musicals and even took a recent trip to Greece (pictured)
