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Woman with rare condition needs £25k for surgery
The Journal
|August 19, 2025
NORTHUMBERLAND woman who is living with a rare condition is hoping to raise £25,000 for surgery, or her hopes of becoming a teacher may be dashed.
Melanie Hartshorn spent much of her life lying down due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which causes her skull to dislocate from her neck and spine.
In 2023, Melanie, 35, underwent major surgery in Barcelona, Spain, to save her life after a huge fundraising effort saw £100,000 donated.
A year later, Melanie was learning to stand and walk, while volunteering at a primary school in Newcastle.
Melanie continues to live her life to the fullest and was hoping to start her teacher training in September.
This story is from the August 19, 2025 edition of The Journal.
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