"Get through this so you can do this": Inspirational Sophie Delezio overcomes new challenge
<p>Sophie Delezio made headlines twice as a little girl after miraculously escaping two horrific car accidents.</p>
<p>Now, the 17-year-old has spoken to the <em>Today</em> show about how she approaches life with a positive attitude and the one challenge that she recently passed with flying colours.</p>
<p>“Knowing that I can't change who I am, I just have to push through and get on with life,” she told Today's co-host Georgie Gardner.</p>
<p>“Each surgery I have makes it easier for me to move and do certain things so that attitude ‘get through this so you can do this’.”</p>
<p>Sophie finished the required 120 hours for her NSW driver’s licence in only eight months after driving to and from school every day.</p>
<p>She revealed that she wanted to finally <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2018/04/sophie-delezio-exciting-news/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>have her licence</strong></span></a>, so she could feel independent without the assistance of her parents Ron and Carolyn or a carer.</p>
<p>“I need help most of the time just to drive me around because it's harder for me to catch transport so just the fact that I'd be able to take myself places and not having to ask for that extra assistance,” she said before taking her driver's licence test.</p>
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<p>Despite the challenges she has faced, Sophie has a positive outlook on life.</p>
<p>“Everyone goes through hard parts in their life and yeah there have been struggles that I have had to overcome but that happens to anyone in any situation,” she said. </p>
<p>“The main thing is that I've overcome them.”</p>
<p>In 2003, Sophie suffered third degree burns to 85 per cent of her body after a car smashed through the wall of her day-care centre in Sydney while she was napping.</p>
<p>After the crash, Sophie was left fighting for her life in a coma for three months and lost an ear, the fingers on her right hand and both feet.</p>
<p>In 2006, another car accident occurred, and Sophie was thrown 18 metres from her wheelchair as she crossed the road.</p>
<p>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 her sense of smell.</p>
<p>In an interview with <em>Woman’s Day</em> earlier this month, Sophie revealed how her past trauma has not deterred her from learning how to drive.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>Since her tragic accidents, Sophie has undergone countless surgeries, including multiple operations to stretch her scalp to allow hair follicles to be implanted.</p>
<p>Now, Sophie has thick brown hair after finding a hairdresser who could give her hair extensions.</p>
<p>Sophie owns three pair sof prosthetic limbs, one she wears for running and flat shoes, and two with adjustable soles for heels.</p>
<p>Last year, she proved her courage and determination once again after going skydiving in New Zealand, describing it as “one of the coolest experiences of my life”.</p>
<p>Sophie is currently in her final year of high school and plans to study in the UK next year.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
