- Sarah de Lagarde had two amputations after two London Underground trains hit her in September 2022.
- She returned to work just four months after the accident, which she said was important to claim herself back.
- De Lagarde says her employer is flexible in when and where she works, and she uses AI to help.
This as-told-to article is based on a conversation with Sarah de Lagarde, a communications professional who had an arm and a leg amputated after two London Underground trains hit her in September 2022. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I had to have an arm and a leg amputated last year following an accident on the London Underground. I spent two weeks in a trauma ward and six in a rehabilitation ward, learning to walk again.
But a year after the accident, I'm working three days a week, two of which are spent in the office.
I was told that most patients in my situation would not consider returning to work until two or three years after the accident. I returned four months after the accident to my role in communications at an asset-management group, well before I got my bionic arm.
My colleagues were absolutely amazing in supporting me in my darkest hour. So many employees had been in touch, sent me cards, messages, presents. I felt really supported. That was amazing.
I wanted to go back because I knew that I would have psychological safety and acceptance. And of course remuneration plays a part as well. In the first instance, though, it was knowing that my colleagues would be welcoming me and that is hugely important.
In the beginning, I could only work two days a week, mainly due to the numerous medical appointments I had. But now I work three days a week, with two in the office, and I'll look to increase that as we go on. As I get fewer medical appointments, I can increase my days.
My employer has been flexible in working hours and remote work. I've got the option to work from home, but going into the office was very important to me because I could feel the support, I could talk to my colleagues, I could welcome those hugs and words of support, but also it took me out of my home. It allowed me to claim myself back.
I love my job. I've been doing this job for 20 years. I've spent so much time investing in the companies that I work for, in my relationships with my colleagues. Going from being able to disabled in a blink of an eye, it was really important for me to claim that part back.
I take taxis to work, which is quite expensive. I haven't taken public transport since the accident and the sound of trains terrifies me.
I can be frank and honest with my colleagues about the things I can do and the things I can't do, and we have collaboratively devised a plan as to how things can work for the best.
My company made small adjustments so I can work.
Because my dominant arm was amputated, I had to start writing with my non-dominant hand after the accident. Though the handwriting's readable, it's not that great.
I know that AI is heavily debated, but in my case it's a support, such as its speech-to-text functions. I use an internal AI program for text writing and presentation building. So in essence, I can do the same tasks as I did before using AI technology.