**Survivor Who Faced ‘1% Chance of Life’ After Cardiac Arrest Champions New Hope After Paralysis**
A woman from Kent who was once told she had almost no chance of surviving a devastating cardiac arrest is now aiming to inspire others with spinal injuries by embracing a new chapter in her life. Nikki Owen, 65, is determined to highlight the message that “there’s life after a spinal injury” after the medical emergency left her permanently paralysed from the chest down.
Nikki, a trauma counsellor from Sevenoaks, was described as exceptionally fit and healthy before the ordeal. She would often start her days at the gym, and those close to her noticed nothing amiss apart from her mentioning she was “more tired than usual” in the weeks preceding her collapse earlier this year. Reflecting on the time, Nikki shares that there were no visible warning signs except for her persistent fatigue.
In a twist of fate, Nikki’s sister, Sally, 63, had altered her own plans and visited Nikki a few days earlier than originally arranged. On the night it happened, Nikki felt unwell and sought Sally’s help, shortly before collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest. Sally, acting quickly, called for emergency help and began CPR. With an ambulance fortuitously close by, the response team arrived within minutes, taking over life-saving efforts from Sally.
Medical professionals managed to resuscitate Nikki, although she was left with a heartbeat dangerously low at just nine beats per minute. She had suffered a tear in her aorta and was rushed to hospital amid fears she would not survive. Nikki’s family was told she only had a 1% likelihood of living through the night, prompting her daughter Rosie, 31, to make a desperate journey back from Singapore, fearing the worst.
Doctors also warned Nikki’s loved ones about the high probability of brain damage, as well as a suite of complications including pneumonia, sepsis, collapsed lungs, and rib fractures resulting from aggressive CPR. Against the odds, Nikki eventually woke up, discovering that she had survived — but with heavy consequences. She was paralysed from the chest down, an outcome that would mark the beginning of a new life of adaptation and resilience.
Coming to terms with her changed circumstances has not always been easy. Nikki describes sensations in her legs akin to wearing “tight socks made of fire” and frequent, vivid feelings that her feet are painfully trapped, despite her paralysis. The journey towards acceptance has required both emotional and physical adjustment, facilitated in part by her background as a trauma counsellor and with the support found at Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s spinal unit. There, Nikki is relearning basic tasks and is adapting to wheelchair use, acknowledging the humbling but positive aspects of accepting help from others.
Although Nikki has had to say goodbye to former pleasures such as long walks and swimming in the sea, she is resolutely focusing on what remains possible. In a powerful demonstration of her spirit, she is set to participate in the Inter Spinal Unit Games this September. Alongside fellow patients from across the United Kingdom, Nikki will compete in a variety of events including shooting, badminton, swimming, and table tennis. She jokes that her teammates value her for team morale, but says being part of such an event is a testament to how new possibilities can emerge after life-changing injuries.
The Games, held at Stoke Mandeville, historically regarded as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, attract talent scouts and embody the ethos that life, purpose, and ambition do not end following serious illness or accident. Nikki expresses gratitude for the continued support she receives, particularly from her daughter Rosie, who launched a fundraiser that has gathered over £16,000 to assist with the costs of specialist equipment and necessary home modifications.
Despite progress, recovery remains an incremental process for Nikki, with some days feeling tougher than others. She acknowledges moments of struggle but remains deeply thankful for the convergence of circumstances — her sister’s timely presence, the rapid arrival of medics, and the remarkable survival against all medical odds.
Nikki’s story stands as an inspiring example of optimism and adaptation in the face of adversity. For her, making every moment count is now a guiding principle, and she hopes her experience shows others that hope and new opportunities can flourish, even after the darkest of days.