Tech entrepreneur Raina Heverin has opened up about the life-changing injuries she suffered in a freak fall six months ago.
The co-founder of Liverpool-based EdTech Supplywell is thought to have been sleepwalking when she fell from the balcony of a Paris Airbnb in April while on a family trip with her brother and sister-in-law.
A that was launched to support her recovery has so raised over 拢40,000.
Raina, whose husband Michael is the CEO of Supplywell, continues to undergo a range of intensive rehabilitation, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.
Writing on LinkedIn she said: 鈥淪ix months ago, my life changed in an instant.
鈥淚 was a mum-of-two, a wife, and an entrepreneur running two successful businesses.
鈥淢y brain was always ticking – always thinking about the next idea, the next growth strategy, the next big goal.
鈥淢y identity was so deeply wrapped in being the doer, the leader, the one who could handle it all.
鈥淭hen, during what was meant to be a simple long weekend away, everything changed. I fell from a balcony.
鈥淚 was in a coma for nearly a month with three lesions on my brain stem.
Appeal to raise 拢40k after Liverpool founder suffers serious fall
鈥淲hen I woke up, I couldn鈥檛 walk or talk properly. My world had completely shifted.
鈥淔or the past six months, I鈥檝e been in hospital working on rehabilitation and recovery – learning how to move, speak, and live again.
鈥淭he journey has been confronting, humbling, and transformative.鈥�
Heverin said the whole experience has changed her whole perspective.
鈥淚 realised my worth wasn鈥檛 only in what I could do, but in who I am.
鈥淩esilience isn鈥檛 always about 鈥榖ouncing back鈥�. Sometimes, it鈥檚 about rebuilding – slowly, painfully, and with unwavering hope.
鈥淚t鈥檚 celebrating progress that others might not even see. It鈥檚 showing up, even when everything feels impossible.
Raina Heverin with husband Michael and their two children before the fall
鈥淢y husband (Michael) has been my rockstar. My two incredible kids are my daily reason to keep going.
鈥淎nd this experience – as brutal as it鈥檚 been – has reminded me that strength doesn鈥檛 always roar. Sometimes it simply whispers, 鈥榯ry again today鈥�.
鈥淪uccess looks very different to me now. It鈥檚 not just about business milestones. It鈥檚 about standing – even if only for a few seconds.
Finding my voice
鈥淚t鈥檚 about finding my voice again – one word at a time. It鈥檚 about gratitude, presence, and purpose.
鈥淭o anyone facing a life-altering challenge: You are not broken. You are being rebuilt.鈥�
As well as SupplyWell, Heverin is the founder of ReCulture, which is on a mission to 鈥榙o recruitment differently鈥� 鈥� matching people and opportunities on culture as well as skills.
Last year she offered advice to more than 20 businesses on the 鈥榩eople鈥� masterclass at 老九品茶Cloud’s FUEL Liverpool听别惫别苍迟.