A TEENAGER learned how to walk again after being knocked down while she was distracted on her phone.

Jennifer Kennedy had been crossing a busy junction at Parkhead Cross in Glasgow three years ago when she was struck by a car.

The now 20-year-old, from Barmulloch, suffered a life-threatening brain injury that left her in a coma for three weeks.

Doctors warned her family she may never wake up but were stunned when she made a miraculous recovery.

Jennifer had to learn how to walk and talk again but hailed the hard work of Glasgow Royal Infirmary for helping her get back on her feet.

She said: “They told my mum and dad that they didn’t know if I would wake up.

“It was just a waiting game, but thankfully, I did.”

“I used to just look at everybody and wonder why I was there.

“At that point, they didn’t know if I would walk, or talk again.

“I can remember learning to walk again in the Royal.

“I loved the Royal – I was in ward 46 and the people who looked after me were just so nice and supportive.”

Jennifer was in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for eight weeks, before continuing her recovery and rehabilitation at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for another six weeks.

After recovering, she went back to Glasgow Kelvin College at Haghill, passing her course studying medical admin, with a hope of getting a job in the NHS.

She is now giving back to the hospital community which saved her life, by working as a volunteer, visiting patients who otherwise wouldn’t have any visitors.

The brave survivor has chosen to share her experience, as part of Volunteers’ Week in a bid to inspire more people to sign-up to help others.

Now, as a volunteer, she commented: “I wanted to give something back and I want to work in the NHS, so it all helps towards my goal.

“You talk to people and learn about who they are, because it’s hard if you don’t have anyone coming to see you.

“They’re really happy to see you. I sit with them for however long it takes – sometimes you can be there for a few hours.”

In the past year, an army of volunteers have clocked up an amazing 47,500 hours across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s hospital sites.

Volunteer manager Louise Colquhoun said: “Our volunteers are simply the best.

“They’ve continued to provide exceptional support throughout the last year and have played a vital role in ensuring we continued to deliver person-centred care to our patients during exceptionally challenging times.

“Jennifer is an incredible young woman who has faced significant trauma, but is now committed to giving something back.”