Pedestrian in Dartmouth truck collision makes 'amazing' recovery

An 83-year-old Nova Scotia woman who lost both her legs in a horrifying accident with a garbage truck in Dartmouth says she owes her recovery to support from her family and friends.

Elizabeth Foston was running to catch the truck outside her house on Maynard Street in June when she somehow became pinned underneath the wheels.

She was taken to hospital in critical condition and her family wasn't sure she would make it. Foston spent a month in hospital, where she had both her legs amputated.

The next two months were spent in rehabilitation.

"I never thought this would happen to me. At my age, it's hard with no legs," Foston told CBC News on Tuesday.

"I'm used to doing so much at home, cooking and baking and cleaning and that, so it's very, very hard. Very hard to cope with."

But Foston is not defined by moments of anguish.

"I do have my moments, yes, when I think, 'I can't walk,'" she said.

"Then I have to think, 'Well, at least I'm alive.' So there's where it is. I'm still here. Then I look at that side of it."

Foston credits much of her determined outlook to her family's work ethic. She grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Dartmouth.

She doesn't plan to spend the rest of her years in a nursing home and wants to return to her Maynard Street home where she's lived for more than six decades.

'I want to look after myself'

"I want to look after myself. I want to do things. I don't want to sit in a chair. I can move around and do what I want to do," said Foston.

Halifax Regional Police said Tuesday they're still investigating the incident and there's been no decision on possible charges.

Foston's sons plan to build a barrier-free bungalow next to her existing house so she can live on her own as much as possible. For now, the challenge is finding temporary accommodations after she leaves rehabilitation, but before her new home is ready.

Finding an affordable but barrier-free place has been difficult and the family is still not sure how they will pay for it.

"We're waiting for something between the insurers to come through here," said Bruce Foston, one of Elizabeth's sons.

"There's a lot of red tape and stuff there that still has to be covered."

His mother remains determined to live as independently as possible — and said she couldn't have stayed strong without her support network.

"Through my family. My family and friends. It’s so hard. No legs. I never thought I’d be in this position," Foston said through tears.

"They say that in the hospital, that I have a lot of determination. That's what I have and that's what I'm going to keep."