'Will I finish that TT lap?' - Paralysed Isle of Man TT racer Maria Costello speaks directly to supporters for first time since fateful crash
Maria Costello has issued a video update on social media as she talked directly to her supporters for the first time since she suffered a life-changing accident at this year’s Isle of Man TT.
Costello was paralysed after a crash during Sidecar qualifying and said she “hadn’t been in a place” where she could talk to her fans.
The 52-year-old was driving the Sidecar outfit with passenger Shaun Parker when the red flag incident occurred on the approach to Brandish corner on May 26.
In Tuesday’s social media post, the Northampton woman said coming to terms with the accident has been “the hardest thing I’ve ever faced”.
She revealed that she is going to document her rehabilitation at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit over the coming weeks and months.
“My life changed,” Costello said. “In a devastating crash in practice for the sidecar TT races on the Isle of Man I suffered a life changing spinal cord injury at level T5/T6.
“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever faced and I haven’t been in a place where I where I’ve been able to talk to you.
“That is until now.
“And over the coming weeks, I’m going to show you what’s been happening since the start, including my rehabilitation here at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit.
“I really hope that you will stay with me as I try and piece together my new life because your support has been incredible, I can’t thank you enough and I really think it’s made the difference with getting me to where I am now.
“What will my future look like? What will my new life look like?
“A lot of it is very unknown.
“Will I ride a bike again? Will I finish that TT lap? I don’t know.
“But what I do know is that I’m not stopping here and I’m going to fight to get to [do] what I love.
“I also look forward to thanking all the people who have made the hardest journey I’ve ever faced, that bit easier #youknowwhoyouare
“It was an accident both Shaun and I know we were lucky to survive. Your support and donations have been unbelievable and we are eternally grateful. Shaun is now at home where he continues to recover and heal.
“Once again I want to thank everyone for their love, donations, support and comments and I really do look forward to taking you all on this new journey with me.”
A GoFundMe page set up to aid Maria has so far raised £310,943 of its £350,000 target as of Tuesday afternoon, September 29.