'Everything can change in a split second'

Former A Place in the Sun presenter Danni Menzies has taken control of her life and is feeling hopeful after a terrifying moped accident left her feeling physically and emotionally scarred

- LUCY ROBINSON

Danni Menzies may have called time on her travels as presenter of A Place in the Sun in 2022, but she's since found herself on a different, intensely personal, journey.

"Life's had its ups and downs, to be honest. Just after I left the show, I had the best working month of my life and I got some really amazing opportunities," says Danni, 37.

"I didn't know what was going to happen next, and then I had this amazing time where I was like, 'wow, everything's going to be OK. The doors are opening."

But just months later, in October 2022, Danni had a horrific moped accident, and her life suddenly changed as she was "taken out" by the stolen vehicle.

She was knocked out, and left permanently scarred and suffering from PTSD. "Life just kind of stopped. The last few years were hard at times after that," she admits.

"When something like that happens, you definitely realise how fragile life is. I mean, it could have been so much worse. I could've been killed. I could've had brain damage.

"I was really lucky to come out of it the way I did. It makes you realise that everything can change in a moment and tomorrow's never promised. You have to try and live more in the present."

As part of her recovery, Danni was treated using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). The therapy requires a person to move their eyes in a certain way while recalling traumatic memories and can help to reduce symptoms of PTSD.