A beautician who was paralysed after falling 60ft in Thailand has finally returned home after £76k was fundraised for her treatment and flights back to the UK. Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, fell from a balcony whilst on holiday with her friends and was hospitalised for weeks.
The 21-year-old was on the island of Koh Phangan with her partner and friends when the accident occurred on New Year's Eve. Coventry Live reports that she was stuck in hospital for more than a fortnight as she received treatment.
The Coventry woman suffered a broken back, two collapsed lungs and her ribs had pierced her liver in the fall. The bills soon racked up for the operations and procedures, including draining fluid from both her lungs.
Speaking to the BBC, Maddi's mum said: "Before the accident, I was on FaceTime to Maddi. An hour later, we got a phone call from her partner and all I could hear is Maddi screaming in the background and the sirens blaring."
Following the fall, the parents flew from the UK to Thailand to be by her side after the accident. Maddi's condition reportedly improved following back surgery.
The family then launched a fundraising effort as Maddi's travel insurance did not cover repatriation. Posting on the GoFundMe page launched to raise money, Karen Mosley Neale, wrote: "Since the fall we are now coping with the realisation that potentially Maddi may never walk again.
"After the fall Maddi was left on the floor for 40 minutes helpless until an ambulance finally arrived. As a family we are absolutely devastated to learn that Maddi didn't have the adequate travel insurance to cover repatriation."
Despite the beautician heading home, it does not mean the fundraising efforts have stopped, and the total now stands at more than £76,000. Local music promoters have joined together to raise cash with an event called 'Rave for Maddi' to be held at the HMV Empire on January 28.
The event was organised to further support Maddi and her family during the crucial rehabilitation stage. The additional money will also help towards her living costs until she is hopefully able to walk again and return to work.
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