A disabled woman who spent her life lying down to prevent her skull from separating from her spine has walked for the first time thanks to pioneering surgery.
Melanie Hartshorn was filmed standing and taking several steps in a groundbreaking enhancement before being hugged by her excited team of physiotherapists.
The 34-year-old, who has spent most of her life on her back, has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which caused her skull to dislocate from her spine.
She was forced to live with a halo 24/7 to keep her in a fixed position and prevent her from suffering violent seizures that risked being decapitated internally.
Melanie was just weeks away from death before becoming the first patient in the world to undergo surgery in October 2022 to fuse her neck and spine.
A disabled woman who spent her life lying down to prevent her skull from separating from her spine has walked for the first time thanks to pioneering surgery
Melanie Hartshorn was filmed standing and taking several steps before being hugged by her excited team of physiotherapists.
It was his only chance of survival and he managed to raise almost £100,000 for the operation, which is not available on the NHS.
Melanie spent months in hospital and underwent a second operation last February before flying home to the UK.
Just over a year later, Melanie, from Cramlington, Northumberland, has taken her first steps and hopes to eventually lead a normal life.
She said: “It was a wonderful, strange feeling to be standing alone for the first time.”
“I can only drag my feet a few steps, but I have to teach my legs, feet and ankles to walk.”
Melanie, who is volunteering at a primary school to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher, added: “My surgeon is very pleased with how everything has gone because he didn’t know if it was going to work.”
The 34-year-old, who has spent most of her life on her back, has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which caused her skull to dislocate from her spine.
Melanie spent months in hospital and underwent a second operation last February before flying home to the UK.
‘In fact, everything is going much better than anyone thought and I have done really well.
‘After the operations I had problems swallowing and they put me on a feeding tube.
‘It’s only been three months since I stopped having to use it and swallow normally.
“I was in a normal wheelchair, but it didn’t offer me much support because I still had to lie down for long periods.
‘Now I have a much better chair that allows me to sit for four hours straight.
‘I do physiotherapy once a week in the hospital, but every day I do my own routine at home strengthening my legs and feet.
‘I still wear my back brace, but I’ve come so far that I’m not going to stop. I want my life back.’
Melanie is the first patient in the world to have her neck and spine fused through the mouth after surgeon Dr. Vicenç Gilete performed two operations in Barcelona.
He now receives regular injections to help his bones fuse better and is preparing to start a teaching course and move into his own home.
He now receives regular injections to help his bones fuse better and is preparing to start a teaching course and move into his own home.
Melanie is the first patient in the world to have her neck and spine fused through the mouth after surgeon Dr. Vicenç Gilete performed two operations in Barcelona
Standing unaided for the first time marks a historic moment for Melanie, who feared she would spend the rest of her life lying down after previous failed operations.
Despite her condition, she managed to complete her biology studies at Newcastle University and collected her certificate lying on a medical table.
Melanie, who is now recovering at home with her mother Molly, 72, said: “When I was in the halo it was so horrible.” She was in a really desperate situation.
“There was just no end in sight and no way out. The operation gave me an opportunity and I am going to take advantage of it with both hands.”
Melanie has so far raised £151,000 on her GoFundMe page, but needs a total of £165,000 to cover her medical bills.