Brave Alaw highlights the power and influence of the mind

Alaw Llwyd Owen, 34, who comes from Llanddoged in the Conwy Valley and now lives in Denbigh, is campaigning to promote and raise awareness of the power and influence of the mind.

She has set up a digital platform, Nerth dy Ben (Your Strength of Mind), to help people tap into their own inner strength.

Her Welsh language website www.nerthdyben.cymru is aimed particularly at people living in rural communities.

Alaw spoke movingly about the traumatic experience and her hopes for the future in her first in-depth broadcast interview on Radio Fa’ma, an S4C programme made by Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da.

It features in the final episode of the current series which was filmed in Ruthin and will be broadcast at 9pm on Tuesday, December 20.

Alaw was on her way home from work in Bala when the crash happened on the A543 near Denbigh on October 2, 2018. She had to be cut free from her vehicle and suffered multiple injuries.

She accepts that life for her will never be the same again but instead of feeling sorry for herself she is looking forward and concentrating her efforts on what she can do rather than what she can't.

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During the conversation with Radio Fama presenters Tara Bethan and Kristopher Hughes, she said she doesn't remember much at all about the accident.

"Thank goodness for that. The mind and the head are amazing in the way they protect you," she said.

"I was in hospital for three months and in intensive care for five weeks. It was actually quite a safe period as I was under such special care although it was difficult and challenging for those around me. The challenges came when I came out of that bubble and had to start living again.

"I wasn't walking, I broke both my feet and had to learn to walk on crutches to begin with and then sticks and a lot of physio. But the care in hospital and thereafter helped me to be strong to get me to the right place to heal," said Alaw.

“We established Nerth Dy Ben when we realised that we have the ability to concentrate on our strengths and not on our weaknesses, and that it is something that we carry with us every day, sometimes without realising or acknowledging it."

Alaw Llwyd Owen being interviewed by presenters Tara Bethan and Kristopher Hughes on Radio Fa’ma (Image: Submitted)

Nerth dy Ben is also organising workshops in schools and youth groups and Alaw hopes these sessions, which make use of arts, will help young people realise what makes them unique as individuals, and to use those strengths in their day to day lives.

Radio Fa’ma producer Emyr Gruffydd said Radio Fa’ma is a chat show with a difference where the presenters, Tara and Kris, visit different areas throughout Wales.

Tara, originally from Llansannan, is an actress and singer and presenter of the 'Dewr (Brave) podcast, while Kris is originally from Llanberis but has been living on Anglesey for many years. He is a druid, writer and is just as well-known as his drag queen alter ego, 'Maggi Nogi'.

In the programme from Ruthin, Tara and Kristopher also discuss mental health issues with Rhian Jones who works with the DPJ Foundation locally.

Also taking part in the programme are identical twins Menna and Morfudd Jones. Both have served terms as Ruthin’s Mayor -  Menna is the current incumbent.

Meanwhile, local solicitor Huw McKee will speak about his battle with bowel cancer after it was diagnosed in June last year.

The guests also include Elen Lloyd, who tells Tara and Kris about her work as a holistic lifestyle coach while grass roots football is at the heart of the chat with Wynne Davies, who has been coaching youngsters at Ruthin for more than 25 years.

The programme from Ruthin featuring Alaw will be broadcast on S4C at 9m on Tuesday, December 20.

English subtitles will be available and the programme can also be watched later on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other platforms.