A devastating car accident in 2007 forever changed the life of Gráinne Kealy, a woman from Ireland who lost her entire forehead as a result of her injuries. Her story is not just a tragic tale but a powerful warning to anyone who casually rests their feet on the dashboard while riding in a car. What seemed like a harmless habit ended in severe facial trauma and long-lasting consequences for Gráinne. Now, she shares her story to educate others about the hidden dangers of this common practice.
In December 2007, Gráinne was a passenger in her boyfriend’s Jeep, traveling at 120mph on icy roads when the vehicle hit a patch of black ice, causing it to skid and crash into a wall. Gráinne, who had her feet on the dashboard, faced a nightmarish outcome when the airbags deployed upon impact. Instead of saving her, the force of the airbag pushed her legs upward, causing her knees to slam violently into her face.
“I broke every bone in my face,” Gráinne recalled in an interview. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors had no choice but to remove her forehead due to the severity of her injuries. For months, she lived without a forehead, her head visibly sunken in, as she awaited further surgeries.
It’s easy to underestimate the risks of resting your feet on the dashboard while riding in a car. Many people do it for comfort, especially during long trips. However, Gráinne’s story highlights the catastrophic consequences this small action can have in the event of a crash.
- Airbags deploy at extreme speeds: Most airbags inflate at a speed of 100 to 220 miles per hour. While they are designed to protect passengers, having your feet on the dashboard can cause them to forcefully propel your legs toward your face, leading to severe injuries.
- Bone-crushing force: In Gráinne’s case, the impact was so intense that her knees broke every bone in her face. The force of her knees hitting her skull was enough to cause irreversible damage.
- Lasting consequences: Even if a crash isn’t fatal, the trauma from such an impact can leave lifelong scars—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
After the accident, Gráinne faced numerous surgeries to reconstruct her face. Her most significant challenge was living for nearly two years without a forehead. It wasn’t until 2009 that she received a custom-made ceramic forehead, made in Italy, which allowed her to regain some sense of normalcy. However, her recovery was far from complete.
While Gráinne has since completed her plastic surgeries and her doctors are pleased with her progress, she continues to deal with the aftermath of her traumatic brain injury (TBI). She suffers from frequent memory lapses and struggles with concentration.
“I constantly lose words in the middle of a conversation. This can happen to me 20 times a day,” Gráinne shared. “I get headaches when too many people are talking, and sometimes it’s hard to focus.”
Her enduring symptoms serve as a reminder that the consequences of car accidents can extend far beyond the initial trauma.
Determined to prevent others from suffering the same fate, Gráinne has become a vocal advocate against putting feet on the dashboard. She has used social media, including Facebook, to share her story, photos of her injuries, and her ongoing struggles to recover. In her posts, she pleads with people to take her warning seriously, hoping to reach as many individuals as possible.
“The sad truth is that I know the message hasn’t reached far enough. The more people I talk to, the more I realize I have to do more,” she wrote in one of her posts. “I am asking you all to please pass it on.”
Gráinne’s message has gained attention, but she remains frustrated by how much of the public continues to overlook this dangerous behavior. She has expressed concern about the influence of celebrities who share images of themselves in cars with their feet on the dashboard. Gráinne pointed to celebrities like Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, and Hailey Baldwin, who have posted photos showing their feet on the dashboard while riding in cars.
In a conversation with Sky News, Gráinne voiced her worries: “They are sending the wrong message to millions of people. I can’t compete with that, but I still feel like I have to try.”
Her frustration is palpable as she continues her mission to raise awareness. “It breaks my heart to think of anyone having to go through the hell myself and my family have had to endure,” she said. She has made it clear that she will keep sharing her story, no matter how difficult, in the hope that it might save lives.
Many of us don’t think twice about the habits we adopt while sitting in a car. Whether it’s resting your feet on the dashboard or not wearing a seatbelt, these seemingly harmless actions can have life-altering consequences in the event of an accident.
Gráinne’s story is a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly things can change. A simple choice—like placing your feet on the dashboard—can result in devastating injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.
Gráinne Kealy’s tragic experience has transformed her into a passionate advocate, warning others about the dangers of putting feet on the dashboard. Her journey—from losing her forehead to undergoing multiple reconstructive surgeries—serves as a sobering example of how dangerous car accidents can be, even when safety measures like airbags are in place.
Through her tireless efforts to raise awareness, Gráinne hopes to prevent anyone else from experiencing the pain and hardship she’s endured. Her message is simple but vital: Do not put your feet on the dashboard. It’s a small step that can make all the difference in ensuring your safety in a vehicle.
