Brave disabled woman, 34, who’s spent her life lying down to stop her head dislocating from her spine takes her first steps after groundbreaking surgery

A disabled woman who spent her life lying down to prevent her skull from separating from her spine can walk for the first time thanks to a groundbreaking operation.

Melanie Hartshorn was filmed standing up and taking several steps in a groundbreaking improvement before being embraced by her enthusiastic team of physios.

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 24/7 with a halo brace to keep her in a fixed position and prevent her from having violent seizures that would decapitate her internally.

Melanie was just weeks away from death before becoming the first patient in the world to undergo surgery to fuse her neck and spine in October 2022.

Melanie Hartshorn was filmed standing up and taking a few steps before being hugged by her enthusiastic team of physios

It was the only chance she had of surviving and she 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 Britain.

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 really amazing and strange feeling to stand up alone for the first time.

“I could only shuffle 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 happy with how everything turned out as they didn’t know if it would work.

The 34-year-old, who has spent most of her life on her back, has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which has caused her skull to dislocate from the spine

Melanie spent months in hospital and underwent a second operation last February before flying home to Britain

‘It’s actually going a lot better than anyone thought and I’ve done very well.

‘After the operation I had swallowing problems and was given a feeding tube.

‘Just three months ago I no longer had to use it and swallow normally.

‘I was in a normal wheelchair, but it didn’t offer much support and I had to lie down for a long time.

‘Now I have a much better chair that allows me to sit for four hours straight.

‘I do physio once a week in hospital, but every day I do my own routine at home to strengthen my legs and feet.

‘I’m still wearing 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 her mouth after surgeon Dr. Vicenç Gilete had performed two operations in Barcelona.

She now receives regular injections to help her bones fuse better and is preparing to start a teaching course and move into her own home.

She now receives regular injections to help her bones fuse better and is preparing to start a teaching course and move into her own home

Melanie is the first patient in the world to have her neck and spine fused through her mouth after surgeon Dr. Vicenç Gilete performed two operations in Barcelona

Standing unassisted for the first time marks a milestone for Melanie, who feared she would spend the rest of her life lying down after previous operations failed.

Despite her condition, she still managed to complete a biology degree at Newcastle University and collect her certificate while lying on a medical stretcher.

Melanie, who is now recovering at home with her mother Molly, 72, said: ‘When I was in the halo it was just so awful. I was in a truly desperate position.

‘The end was not yet in sight and there was no way out. The operation has given me an opportunity and I am going to grab it with both hands.’

Melanie has raised £151,000 so far on her GoFundMe page, but needs a total of £165,000 to pay her medical bills.