Cassie Maher
DOCTORS told AndreaHolliday six years ago she would never walk again.
But Mrs Holliday will defy medical opinion when she takes some tentative but symbolic steps during the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay.
The Williamstown woman said she wanted to “have a go” and so last year nominated herself as a baton carrier, under the section marked “personal achievement”.
“When I received the acceptance letter, we thought it would have some free tickets to the games or something because I hadn’t been chosen,” she said. “It just didn’t seem real.”
Cruel reality for the 33-year-old struck on a Saturday afternoon in April 2000 when a runaway truck knocked her to the ground while she was waiting to cross a road in North Melbourne.
“I broke just about every bone in my body, and had massive internal injuries,” she said.
“Luckily it happened close to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, which pretty much saved my life.”
Mrs Holliday was in a coma for several weeks before she awoke to hear that she would never walk again.
“The doctors told her not to even try,” said Mrs Holliday’s proud husband Brian McNamara.
“She has worked so hard at physio, and at going to the gym on her own to get to the stage she’s at.”
Thanks to sheer determination and hard work, Mrs Holliday is now able to enjoy walking with her two-year-old son, Angus.
“She is a real quiet achiever,” said her husband.
“She has never been a victim and doesn’t seek out the spotlight, ever.”
There is no doubt, however, that all eyes will be on Mrs Holliday when she carries the Games’ torch in what she describes as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It is a turning point for me and my family to look where I came from to where I am now,” she said. “It’s pretty symbolic.”
Walking through Williamstown was also an important factor of the relay for Mrs Holliday, having moved there with her husband in 2001.
“My family used to go for ice cream in Williamstown when we were little, so I have many fond memories of this place,” she said.
Friends and family will cheer on Mrs Holiday as she completes her part of the relay on the Williamstown-to-Melbourne Cricket Ground leg, on Wednesday 15 March.
