Clelia Theodorou shared an emotional statement as she marked the first time she has stepped out alone with daughter Cielo Elizabeth since breaking her legs in a horror car crash that killed her mother.
The former TOWIE star, 29, welcomed her first child in September last year with her boyfriend and co-star Tommy Cole – just a few months after the tragic event.
On Thursday, the reality star shared heartfelt message on Instagram as she updated fans on her condition.
Despite not feeling fully back to normal and still suffering from ‘a lot of pain and discomfort’, Clelia celebrated the ‘major milestone’ and shared her gratefulness for her recovery journey.
It is an incredible moment for the mother-of-one, who previously couldn’t even hold her daughter while standing up.
Clelia Theodorou celebrated a ‘major milestone’ on Thursday as she took baby Cielo, seven months, out alone for first time since breaking her legs in horror crash
The former TOWIE star, 29, welcomed her first child in September last year with her boyfriend and co-star Tommy Cole – just a few months after the tragic event.
Sharing a sweet clip on her Instagram page, Clelia captured Cielo as the mother-daughter duo enjoyed the sunshine.
She wrote in a lengthy caption: ‘A major milestone moment for me.. taking my baby for a walk by myself! I can’t express how incredible this is for me.
‘I truly didn’t see this day coming, everyone around me told me one day it will happen, it will come but I just couldn’t see it.
‘I still don’t believe I’ve done it!! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not fully back to normal and I don’t think I’ll ever be like I was before.
‘I’m still in a lot of pain & discomfort and I can’t walk for long periods but I have to push myself through this for my recovery.’
Reflecting on her challenging journey, she went on proudly: ‘The first few months of Cici’s life I couldn’t even hold her standing up because I wasn’t able to, so for me being able to do this, it’s just such a relief and such a blessing.
‘It’s little things like taking your baby for a walk in the pram that got me down so so much on top of everything else because it’s such a simple everyday thing for a mum to do but when you physically can’t, it’s heartbreaking. For the first time I’m proud of myself.’
The emotional statement left followers in awe of the star, with many fans flooding her with congratulations and supportive messages below the post.
It represents an incredible moment for the mother-of-one, who did massive steps compared to when she couldn’t even hold Cielo standing up, which she now called ‘a blessing’ and truly made her appreciate the ‘simple things’
Sharing a sweet clip on her Instagram page, Clelia mostly captured Cielo in different bits of her daily outing, as the mother-daughter duo enjoyed the sunshine of a gorgeous spring day
Her number one supporter was obviously her boyfriend Tommy, 34, who gushed saying: ‘Couldn’t be more proud watching you smash motherhood everyday. You deserve these moments.’
‘AHHHHHH AMAZING! Super proud of you xxxxx,’ said one fan.
‘Amazing news my girl!!! So so proud of you!!!’; (& this defo shouldn’t be the first time you are proud of yourself – you amaze everyone every single day!!) ;
‘AMAZING!! Well done girl you’re smashing it! ♥️’; ‘I’m not crying you’re crying!! im so proud of you Cle. Truly such a inspiration, Cici is the luckiest little girl that you’re her mummy love you’; ‘Amazing! You are both so beautiful! ❤️’;
‘Aah & so you should be proud, however it saddens me that you’re saying this is the 1st time you’ve felt this way, you’ve endured a lot & you’re still here, you’re still being a great Mummy, you’re amazing & don’t forget it, I know your Mum will be looking down thinking the same ❤️❤️❤️,’ added another user.
In December of last year, Clelia told fans she just underwent a surgery following a the horror car accident.
Clelia, whose mother was tragically killed in the terrifying accident, suffered broken legs and feet which left her hospitalised in May.
Providing a heartbreaking, but hopeful health update to her fans, Clelia shared she had her metal rods removed in her foot and leg, but explained she will need to have further surgery to get her ‘walking again’.
Sharing a picture on Instagram in her hospital bed, she wrote at the time: ‘Another surgery completed. Hopefully on the way to being able to walk properly soon.
‘I’m in a lot of pain but had to be done. I had some of my metal rods removed in my foot and leg. Will have to have more removed as well but for now this should get me where I need to be for walking again.’
The emotional statement left followers in awe of the star, with many fans flooding her with congratulations and her boyfriend Tommy being her number one supporter
Clelia revealed she was dating Tommy in June 2021 when a fan quizzed her over the nature of their relationship
Clelia later shared another update at home sitting on her sofa, with bandages wrapped around her legs, to thank her fans for their kind messages.
She wrote: ‘Thank you for your kind messages. Suffering with the pain but on the road to recovery’.
Posting a picture of her gorgeous daughter Cielo shortly after, she wrote: ‘This little cheeky monkey helps so much’.
Clelia and Tommy announced they were expecting their first child together in March, as Clelia took to Instagram to share a sweet montage video with fans.
The reality starlet revealed she was dating Tommy in June 2021 when a fan quizzed her over the nature of their relationship.
Clelia revealed in July that her mother passed away in a horror car crash which took place at the end of May.
Taking to Instagram, the at the time pregnant The Only Way Is Essex star revealed that she too had been involved in the crash, which left her in hospital with ‘terrible injuries’ for weeks.
Although she is ‘continuing to heal’, she revealed her ‘beautiful’ mum tragically ‘couldn’t heal’ from hers.
In December of last year, Clelia told fans she just underwent a surgery following a the horror car accident and has had multiple surgeries since
The Only Way Is Essex star revealed that she too had been involved in the crash, which left her in hospital with ‘terrible injuries’ for weeks (pictured in August)
Clelia revealed that her mother passed away in the horror car crash which took place at the end of May
Clelia wrote: ‘At the end of May myself and my Mum were unfortunately involved in an accident, we both suffered terrible injuries.
‘I am continuing to heal from mine after weeks in hospital but it’s with the biggest regret to say that my beautiful Mum couldn’t heal from hers.
‘The person I never, ever wanted to say goodbye to. Who loved me unconditionally, the pure definition of a mother’s love.’
Heartbroken Clelia described the pain as ‘paralysing’ and said that the loss was beyond words.
She added: ‘My heart will never heal from this, life will never ever be the same. It just doesn’t feel real and it never will, I just want my mum back.’
