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Kirsty Bell,24, left paralysed after being crushed by concrete block in Folkestone appears on Channel 5's Where There’s Blame There’s a Claim

A young woman paralysed when a 70kg concrete block fell from a building has appeared on a prime time TV show.

Kirsty Bell, then 20, was in Folkestone town centre when part of a shop front fell on her, crushing her spinal column in 2013.

The ex-nursery worker from Hawkinge on Wednesday documented her battle for compensation on Channel 5’s Where There’s Blame There’s a Claim.

Caption: Kirsty, Ben, and Harry Bell: Courtesy Channel 5: 29.6.17
Caption: Kirsty, Ben, and Harry Bell: Courtesy Channel 5: 29.6.17

It was after a two-year struggle with the insurance company when Mrs Bell, now 24, was awarded a ‘significant sum’, understood to be seven figures.

Kirsty told the program: “Settling the claim for me was about having that money for the rest of my life that’s going to pay for future equipment that I’m going to need.

“The accident was life-changing, but it shows you can still actually progress with life – life doesn’t have to end there.”

Kirsty Bell: Courtesy Channel 5: 29.6.17
Kirsty Bell: Courtesy Channel 5: 29.6.17

Having suffered a severe spinal injury, the former Pent Valley pupil postponed her wedding with Ben, who became her full-time carer.

Unable to walk, control her bladder or bowels, doctors initially told Mrs Bell she may never have children.

But against the odds Kirsty gave birth to little Harry, now eight-months, after marring Ben,29 in 2015.

Kirsty Bell: Courtesy Channel 5: 29.6.17
Kirsty Bell: Courtesy Channel 5: 29.6.17

Together they are currently building their dream modified home in Folkestone.

Ben said: “I’m just helping the person I love, it’s no different than my nan or granddad looking after each other.

“For me, no amount would ever be enough. How can you put a price on never being able to walk again?”

Picture: @Kent_999s on Twitter
Picture: @Kent_999s on Twitter

The huge chunk of concrete fell from Black and White Estates Agents in Sandgate Road, while the couple made their way to the bank to deposit savings for their wedding.

Paramedics treated Kirsty at the scene before an air ambulance flew her to King’s College Hospital in London, where doctors said she would never walk again.

Mrs Bell was kept in hospital for eight days before being transferred to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, a specialist unit, where doctors said a baby was indeed a possibility.

Speaking to the Express Mrs Bell said:“After everything that happened I just feel lucky to have survived and lucky to be surrounded by my amazing family.”

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