An air hostess and 'beautiful' model has been left bedbound with life-changing injuries after her violent ex attacked her.
Diana Olijar, 34, had a promising modelling career and was working as cabin crew for Thomas Cook when she suffered a spinal injury at the hands of her ex partner in a brutal attack in 2012.
Her injuries brought on a condition called Ehlers Danlos-Syndrome - a debilitating condition which attacks the nervous system and has left Diana unable to do simple things like making a cup of tea.
But it would be six years before she was diagnosed as doctors said her dizziness, migraines and neck pain were just trauma symptoms, Diana from Fallowfield, Manchester, claims.
The mum of one said her condition was only uncovered in 2018 and believes it took so long, due to a lack of awareness, Manchester Evening News reports.
Diana said: “All I heard from medical professionals was that it was just a trauma reaction and that I needed rest and sleep.
“They said it would get better with time, but it was getting progressively worse until I got diagnosed.
“I’ve not talked about it for a long time because of the shame of what I’ve experienced.
"My whole life is basically medical care and trying to get better. I’m not managing anything. I know there is a long way to go and a lot of treatments ahead of me.”
Although Diana's symptoms were subtle to begin with, they progressively became worse and worse to the point her vision and hearing began to deteriorate and her joints would dislocate at random.
Four years ago, she was diagnosed with EDS and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
The conditions are both a type of dysfunction in her nervous system and mean her neck cannot support the weight of her own head, resulting in severe pain, headaches and blurred vision.
The instability of Diana's neck means she now has to wear a collar and use a wheelchair when she leaves the house.
Following a desperate appeal last year, Diana underwent surgery to save her spine and brainstem from becoming damaged.
But now she needs to raise a further £100,000 for a follow up operation to untether her spinal cord
She said: "I’m working at addressing what is happening with my body because the condition has been progressing,” Diana continued. “It’s for medical treatment and legal fees.
“I remain positive and I trust that there will be someone who can help me through it. I hope I can get better enough to go back to any employment so I can provide for my 14-year-old daughter. It’s important to bring awareness to the situation and the condition.
“I believe I can regain a normal quality of life, the ability to provide for my family and once again be the parent my child deserves. As of now, I rely on a wheelchair and struggle on a daily basis, and this is heartbreaking for us both.
“I really hope someone can help. At this point, I have a crippling debt due to medical bills. I still need so much treatment. I strongly believe, that with the right medical care, including aggressive stem cells therapy, I can recover and be the mother my child so desperately needs and deserves.”
