Editorial: Diane's latest hurdle

Diane Wilson was born with rare Crouzon's Syndrome, a genetic condition in which her skull bones were fused together. Photo / Joel Ford

Some people just can't get a break. The story about young Tauranga woman Diane Wilson, who is fighting for her life in an Australian hospital after a car smash, made me think about the immense hurdles some people have to face.

Some have an easy ride; but others have a battle - and some, like Diane, face more than one battle.

I remember a couple of Diane's stories well as we covered her journey to fix her face.

Diane was born with rare Crouzon's Syndrome, a genetic condition in which her skull bones were fused together.

She had her first operation at 1 and had many painful operations over the years to repair her face, including becoming the second person in the country to undergo a new surgical technique that involved attaching steel rods to her skull and turning them with a key over time to move her mid-face forward and allowing more bone to grow in the gaps created.

It was ground-breaking stuff. We picked up on her story in 1999, 2004 and again in 2011.

Back in 2004, she told this paper she wanted to be a doctor. The bubbly teen had a positive attitude and her life in front of her.

In our last interview with her, in 2011, Diane was living in Melbourne but back in Tauranga for a visit. She reflected on her battles, her life then and her hopes for the future.

The photos we took for our weekend feature story showed a young, vibrant woman with everything to look forward to.

But now Diane, who has been helping others with Crouzon's in Australia and working at a hotel where she had just received a promotion, is facing another hurdle, her biggest yet.

Her injuries are severe. She has a broken neck, smashed pelvis, and brain bleeds.

It is unclear if she will survive and if she does there is a risk of brain damage.

But her family, quite rightly, say if anyone can she can. She's a fighter.

Her father and mother and other family are with her at her bedside, giving her all the support they can.

Diane has already shown immense courage over the years.

But now, lying in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, she will have to draw on every bit of strength and determination she has to pull through.

I sincerely hope she does.

She has my best wishes.