Fife, Scotland > Barcelona
1,394 miles
Abigail's diagnosis
In April 2016, at only nine years old, Abigail’s life was put on hold after she sustained head and neck injuries when she fell from her bed. Abigail’s underlying condition of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome meant the fall affected her more than it would any other child. She began to experience headaches and dizziness and within a matter of weeks they became constant making it difficult for Abigail to balance.
By August 2016, at ten years old, she had lost the ability to walk. Within six months Abigail went from being an active child, always horse riding and playing with her siblings, to watching life pass her by from a bed in her parent’s living room.
Abigail was diagnosed with cervical instability which meant her neck no longer supported her head which required Abigail to wear a neck brace 24/7. Despite regular physiotherapy, Abigail’s condition continued to deteriorate. The pain of swallowing forced her to be fed through a tube and her back and neck pain became chronic.
However, her underlying condition meant the specialist surgery could only be performed by a small number of neurosurgeons in the world and Abigail was told she needed to travel to Barcelona to receive the surgery. The potential date for the surgery was in four week’s time – allowing little time for all the arrangements that needed to be made – but missing the date would mean postponing it for another three months.
Abigail's life-changing air transfer
As Andy started to arrange a private air ambulance for Abigail, Lucy Air Ambulance for Children (Lucy AAC) was contacted by one of their service providers who informed them about Abigail’s story. Within four days Lucy AAC confirmed they could fund Abigail’s flight and had arranged all the necessary transport; taking a big weight off Andy’s shoulders. He says:
“Lucy AAC has given Abigail hope for the future and we know that you share in our longing for her to get better. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown to us and we are so pleased Lucy AAC could assist with the arrangements and costs of Abigail’s travel to Barcelona.”
Lucy AAC flew Abigail from Edinburgh to Barcelona with her mum. Her dad and siblings flew separately and met her at the hospital in Barcelona. Her pre-surgery scans and consultations were brought forward to ensure the best team of surgeons were in place for her. Within two days of reaching Barcelona, Abigail had her specialist spinal surgery – the surgeons were very happy with how everything went.
Abigail progressed quickly in the weeks following her surgery. Before her surgery Abigail couldn’t hold her own head up and had chronic pain and dizziness. Within only a few days of her surgery she was able to sit fully upright in her wheelchair for long periods before needing to rest. She had no dizziness, just a slight head rush when going from lying to sitting. She was able to leave the hospital and the family were able to enjoy their first meal together in over a year and a half.
Lucy AAC flew Abigail back home to Edinburgh where she received ongoing care at her local hospital.
Ongoing care and treatment
Once home, she had physio twice a week to build her strength and stability back up. Within a month of her surgery she was able to walk with a crutches – walking for the first time in two years.
Seven months after her surgery, Abigail returned to Barcelona for a checkup with her neurosurgeons and they were very pleased with her progress. The CT scan showed bone growth and that the fusion of her head and spine was in the correct place. Andy says:
“It was lovely to see all her doctors and the team in Barcelona but also very strange being back. It reminded us how ill she had been, how far she has come, and the amazing support we have all had that enabled the much needed operation.”
Although Abigail still struggles with pain due to her underlying condition, no pain is caused by her neck injury anymore. She is walking with crutches and can walk short distances without them. In two years she has gone from “watching life pass her by from a bed in her parent’s living room” to an active girl who is taking on challenges everyday. Andy says:
“Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, help and support. Without you, life would be very different for Abigail.”
Latest news & events
Our time for growth
Over the next few weeks and months, you will see our charity’s brand evolve from ‘Lucy Air Ambulance for Children’ to ‘Lia’s Wings’. We are going into the next chapter of our charity’s evolution with a new identity and expanded purpose. … Read More
Lia’s Legacy
Over the next few weeks and months, you will see Lucy Air Ambulance for Children’s brand change to celebrate an incredibly special little girl, Emilia Schoennagel, whom the world sadly lost unexpectedly in September 2022. … Read More
Lucy AAC Summer Skydive
‘Take the leap for Lucy! Join us on Tue 18th July at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield in Northamptonshire and experience the thrill of jumping 10,000ft at 120mph by taking part in a tandem skydive for Lucy AAC. … Read More
At Home Winter Wonderwheels 2023
Grab your mask, cape & winter warmers, Superheroes – we’re racing Pole to Pole! For this virtual Winter Explorer mission, you’ll be remotely uniting with your SUPER TEAM to race 25,123km from north to south, taking in some super snowy destinations along the way! … Read More
At Home Superheroes 2023
Get ready for an epic, virtual round-the-world race! You can join the fun wherever & however you wish & have a whole month in which to complete your super goal. Best of all, you’ll be remotely combining your powers with hundreds of fellow Superheroes & Sidekicks, from far & wide, all pulling together for this super-flexible mission! So sign up now, your SUPER TEAM needs you! … Read More
Superhero Tri 2023
Superhero Tri is a super fun sporting mission for people with disability – aka Superheroes. These superheroes call the shots – there are no cut-off times and all kinds of ‘gadgets and gismos’ are welcome on the course, from floats and boats to powerchairs, adaptive bikes, trikes and more. … Read More
