The tragic consequences of a motorcycle accident involving a young mother who sustained severe brain damage emerged in court yesterday when her doctor said that her vegetative state was not likely to improve much.

What was meant to be a five-minute ride for 22-year-old Angie Bajada, who was 20 at the time of the accident, turned into a nightmare for her family.

Ms Bajada is cared for by her mother, Anna, and a full-time Filippino helper, Nympha. They also look after her two-year-old daughter, Ally, who was 18 months old when her mother was injured.

The accident happened in the early hours of May 17, 2010 on Council of Europe Road, Luqa when Ms Bajada was riding pillion on a bike driven by 34-year-old Joseph Farrugia.

Mr Farrugia is accused of causing permanent injury to Ms Bajada through dangerous driving.

Neurologist Josanne Aquilina testified that she first examined Ms Bajada when in intensive care at Mater Dei Hospital. The victim was found to be in Glasgow Coma Scale three, that is, she was unconscious.

Ms Bajada’s mother, who stood next to the witness stand, wept, as she heard the details of her daughter’s injuries. Ms Bajada spent four months in hospital, including seven weeks in intensive care.

Her condition improved significantly but Dr Aquilina noted that she was unlikely to make much more progress.

The young mother had spent some time going through what is known as sleep wave cycles in which she would spend periods awake and periods asleep but this had now stabilised.

At one point, she also suffered from epileptic fits that had subsided and were being treated with medicine. Ms Bajada also had to have botox injected into her muscles to stop muscle spasms, the witness explained.

In cases like these, patients usually improved progressively until they reached a plateau that was usually difficult to overcome, Dr Aquilina said.

The case continues.

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