A brave teen was left paralysed after a severe case of the flu left her having to be resuscitated twice.
Lexi Brown, now 14, became ill towards the end of last year and suffered symptoms of dizziness and a temperature. The illness, which affected young Lexi in December, left her ringing her mum for help while screaming in pain.
From Clacton–on–Sea in Essex, the teen had to be put into a “neuroprotective” coma at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge Now, physicians think Lexi suffered a spinal stroke that was brought on by the flu.
Lexi has been in hospital using a ventilator since the episode. She was unable to walk, talk or breathe on her own when she woke up. Lexi’s mum Stacy Grantham, 33, said her daughter phoned her “screaming in pain” and in a way that meant Stacy knew it was something serious.
View 5 ImagesWhen Lexi woke, she was unable to breathe on her own(Image: Stacy Grantham / SWNS)
She rushed home to find paramedics and an air ambulance resuscitating her daughter. She says that Lexi before the illness was “healthy and active” and was a “passionate singer” who loved theatre.
The brave teen felt she had “lost everything she loves” and “cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel”.
View 5 ImagesLexi, passionate about theatre, felt she ‘lost everything she loves'(Image: Stacy Grantham / SWNS)
“It’s something no mum ever wants to see or hear, but we’re trying to stay positive for her,” Stacy said.
She added: “When she woke, she was paralysed from the neck down and we were told she’d have no movement again, and be ventilated for the rest of her life.”
It is hope intensive physiotherapy will help Lexi regain her muscle strength. She is growing strong enough to breathe for herself during the day and uses a ventilator at night. Some movement has been regained in her limbs, but she is unable to use them for “functional things”.
“She can now talk as she would before, but her voice is huskier and she has an uncomfortable tube in her neck,” Stacy said. Lexi currently talks through a tracheostomy tube.
View 5 ImagesLexi and her dad(Image: Stacy Grantham / SWNS)
“She was an avid singer and her voice has been taken away, that’s been devastating for her.” There was a development that was “huge” for Lexi’s family when she sat up by herself for around 30 seconds. They had previously been told she would not be able to do that.
Lexi’s mum and dad, Craig Brown, 37, are among her regular visitors along with stepmum Lou Baird–Brown, 33, as well as her brothers Jake Brown, 12, and Theo Brown, one. The developments mean Lexi’s mum may have to give up her job as the family travels to see her, according to a GoFundMe page that has so far raised over £8,200.
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View 5 ImagesThere have been some positive signs in brave Lexi’s recovery(Image: Stacy Grantham / SWNS)
And despite the positive signs in Lexi’s recovery, the family has had to join the local council housing register as their family home is rented. This means that the adjustments they will need to make, such as wheelchair-friendly adaptions, are tricky.
You can see the GoFundMe page here.