A teenage girl who miraculously escaped two horrific car accidents as a child has defied the odds to get behind the wheel.
Sophie Delezio captured the hearts of millions of Australians when was left fighting for her life at the age of two after she was trapped beneath a burning car, which crashed into her daycare centre in 2003.
The toddler suffered third degree burns to 85 per cent of her body. She lost an ear, the fingers on her right hand and both feet as she was placed in a coma for three months.
But disaster struck again when Sophie was thrown 18 metres from her wheelchair when she was crossing a road in 2006.
Sophie Delezio (pictured now) captured the hearts of millions of Australians after she miraculously escaped two horrific car accidents as a child
The then-two-year-old was left fighting for her life at the age of two after she was trapped beneath a burning car, which crashed into her daycare centre in 2003 (pictured leaving hospital after recovering from the horrific crash)
She suffered a bleeding on the brain, a heart attack and severe injuries, including a broken jaw, fractured shoulder, and a tear to her lung. She also lost a sense of smell.
But despite the near-death ordeals, the now-17-year-old has proved she can overcome any challenge after making a remarkable recovery.
Speaking to Woman’s Day magazine, Sophie revealed how her childhood trauma has not deterred her from learning to drive.
The plucky teenager clocked up the required 120 hours for her NSW driver’s licence in just eight months after driving to and from school.
‘I’m in heaven as long as I’m the one in the driver’s seat and in control. I just love to drive. I enjoy the way it makes me feel… free,’ she said.
The toddler suffered third degree burns to 85 per cent of her body after the daycare crash
After the first incident, she lost an ear, the fingers on her right hand and both feet as she was placed in a coma for three months (pictured left at the age of two and right in 2006 – after her second car accident)
Since her near-fatal accidents, Sophie has undergone countless surgeries, including multiple operations to stretch her scalp to allow hair follicles to be implanted.
But after finding a hairdresser who could give her hair extensions, Sophie now has thicker and longer brunette tresses.
Sophie now owns three pairs of prosthetic limbs – one designed for flat shoes and sneakers and two with adjustable soles for heels.
Since her near-fatal accidents, Sophie has undergone countless surgeries, including multiple operations to stretch her scalp to allow hair follicles to be implanted
Last year, she went skydiving in Queenstown, New Zealand, describing the thrilling activity as ‘one of the coolest experiences of my life’
And Sophie has been fulfilling life like any other teenager.
Last year, she went skydiving in Queenstown, New Zealand, describing the thrilling activity as ‘one of the coolest experiences of my life’.
And while she’s in her final year of high school, Sophie already plans to study abroad in the UK next year after she sits her Higher School Certificate exams.
‘I’m always telling myself I need to crack down and study, but I’m also here to live life, and the busier I am, the better,’ she told the magazine.