On the 13th of July Malin Blom is taking her bike to a friends birthday party when a car hit her from behind in high speed. The driver doesn’t stop. He drives away leaving Malin at the pavement. Unconscious. "Acute CT scans shows traumatic bleeding centrally in the right cerebrum and blood in the brain's right cavities. A number of rib fractures. Bone damage is seen on the left leg and on the collarbone and left shoulder. Open wounds on the left arm and leg, as well as on the skull.” Notes from the hospital says. 

With severe brain hemorrhages and broken bones all troughout her body, Malin goes into a coma. Once awake, a month later, she can't even remember who visited her an hour ago. The doctors believe that the thing that saved her from breaking her spine was her skateboard, wedged in between her backpack and back. 

This story is about Malins struggle to get her life back. And to get back on the skateboard again. 

Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Since the accident simple daily routines such as having a meal, taking a shower or just remembering whos coming to visit are a challange to Malin. She barely recalls what emotions feels like. - I dont feel hunger, so I have to set an alarm to remind myself to eat, she says.
Since the accident simple daily routines such as having a meal, taking a shower or just remembering who's coming to visit are a challange to Malin. She barely recalls what emotions feels like. - I don't feel hunger, so I have to set an alarm to remind myself to eat, she says.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - When Malin was lying in a coma at Danderyds hospital, nurses and family kept a diary for her, carefully making notes about what was going on, who hade come to visit etc.
When Malin was lying in a coma at Danderyds hospital, nurses and family kept a diary for her, carefully making notes about what was going on, who hade come to visit etc.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - In August 2015, Malin gets help to start walking again. Several surgeries have made her immobile, but she is determined - she will go skateboarding again.
In August 2015, Malin gets help to start walking again. Several surgeries have made her immobile, but she is determined - she will go skateboarding again.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Acute CT scans shows traumatic bleeding centrally in the right cerebrum and blood in the brains right cavities. A number of rib fractures. Bone damage is seen on the left leg and on the collarbone and left shoulder. Open wounds on the left arm and leg, as well as on the skull.” Notes from the hospital.
"Acute CT scans shows traumatic bleeding centrally in the right cerebrum and blood in the brain's right cavities. A number of rib fractures. Bone damage is seen on the left leg and on the collarbone and left shoulder. Open wounds on the left arm and leg, as well as on the skull.” Notes from the hospital.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - September 3rd. Malins mother Jenny Sillén pick her daughter to go to court, and the trial of the man who ran over Malin.
September 3rd. Malin's mother Jenny Sillén pick her daughter to go to court, and the trial of the man who ran over Malin.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - On the 19th of September Malin helps building a skate park under the bridge at Alvik. But she can not yet go herself.
On the 19th of September Malin helps building a skate park under the bridge at Alvik. But she can not yet go herself.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Several surgeries have made her immobile, but she is determined - she will go skateboarding again.
Several surgeries have made her immobile, but she is determined - she will go skateboarding again.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - On the way into the courtroom she meets the man who put her in a wheelchair. I feel nothing at all, says Malin about that meeting.
On the way into the courtroom she meets the man who put her in a wheelchair. "I feel nothing at all," says Malin about that meeting.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Every day while she was in a wheelchair Malin has to take an injection to prevent blood clots.
Every day while she was in a wheelchair Malin has to take an injection to prevent blood clots.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - On the wall of Malins room is the schedule for the day, but she does not remember what she has to do. To the left photographs are of those who visited her and what she has done, so that she will remember.
On the wall of Malin's room is the schedule for the day, but she does not remember what she has to do. To the left photographs are of those who visited her and what she has done, so that she will remember.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Malin spent the one-year anniversary of the accident together with her mom who has been a big support during the recoveru process. - Our familys rebel, the most stubborn, the most creative human being known, Jenny describes her daughter.
Malin spent the one-year anniversary of the accident together with her mom who has been a big support during the recoveru process. - Our family's rebel, the most stubborn, the most creative human being known, Jenny describes her daughter.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - She cant fall and hit her head again, therefor she hang a rope in the roof so that she have something to hold on to.
She can't fall and hit her head again, therefor she hang a rope in the roof so that she have something to hold on to.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - When Malin got permission te leave the hospital it was a relief. Being there felt like a prison, she said. - Im focused. Im going to skateboard again. Thats just the way it is.
When Malin got permission te leave the hospital it was a relief. Being there felt like a prison, she said. - I'm focused. I'm going to skateboard again. That's just the way it is.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - After the accident Malin had to put a lot of work into improving her sense of balance. Knowing her skateboarding background, her physioterapist saw an opportunity for Malin to practice in the hallways of Danderyds hospital.
After the accident Malin had to put a lot of work into improving her sense of balance. Knowing her skateboarding background, her physioterapist saw an opportunity for Malin to practice in the hallways of Danderyds hospital.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - - Its awesome. I got butterflies in my stomach and we like to hang out. I guess thats what love is like, I think.
- It's awesome. I got butterflies in my stomach and we like to hang out. I guess that's what love is like, I think.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - The last time I met Malin I joined her to the skate park in Humlegården. After many failed attempts, suddenly she drops from the top of the mini-ramp and turns into a kickturn. Her friends cheer when they realiza she just landed her first Rpck-to-fakie.
The last time I met Malin I joined her to the skate park in Humlegården. After many failed attempts, suddenly she drops from the top of the mini-ramp and turns into a kickturn. Her friends cheer when they realiza she just landed her first Rpck-to-fakie.
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud -
Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - A year has gone since Malin Blom woke up from the coma. Even though se still suffers from memory loss and severe pain she keeps fighting. - Its not like I was starting over from scratch, more from like minus fifty, she says.
A year has gone since Malin Blom woke up from the coma. Even though se still suffers from memory loss and severe pain she keeps fighting. - It's not like I was starting over from scratch, more from like minus fifty, she says.
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