Mandy Leach, 59, from Tyneside, has regained the ability to move her own wheelchair after three years of intensive rehabilitation following a rare brain tumour and a stroke. She was left entirely reliant on carers when she fell suddenly ill, but now celebrates a significant step towards independence.
Diagnosis and Loss of Independence
Mandy was healthy and active, enjoying hobbies such as fishing and photography and working as a carpenter. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with a rare slow-growing brain tumour called an oligodendroglioma and also suffered a stroke. Between the two conditions, she was left reliant on others even to move her wheelchair.
Rehabilitation at Chase Park
Since then, she has been on a structured rehabilitation programme at Chase Park Neuro Centre in Whickham. Support there includes hydrotherapy, sessions on a Motomed exercise bike and supported walking practice, which have helped transform her recovery.
Mandy said: "Before I came here, I enjoyed going fishing, photography and carpentry, and I loved my job working with people and helping them day to day. I miss the independence of doing basic things that I need help with now, but I am happy I am here. It felt incredible when I first managed to move independently again, although I am still working on it - I picked it up quite quickly. It's still ongoing, but I've come on a lot, and I have my family’s support. I won’t give up."
Family Support and Progress
Mandy's mother, Carol McLaughlin, 82, said: "Before this, my biggest worry was whether she could be helped at all. Mandy had gone from an active life to being 100% disabled and depending on others 24 hours a day, with no life of her own. Watching her use the wheelchair I feel so proud of her and the effort she puts into everything that's asked of her. She wants to be mobile again, and you can see that in everything she does. It gives us hope for the future - even her brothers get emotional watching her move herself around. We can see some of the old Mandy coming back."
Centre Manager's Praise
Anthony Saiger, manager at Chase Park, said: "Mandy's progress is a fantastic example of what's possible when the right support, environment and determination come together. When she came to us, Mandy needed help with every single transfer and every movement of her wheelchair. To see her now propelling herself, after working so hard with our therapy team is exactly why we do this job. Mandy's determination has been the driving force behind her progress, and we couldn't be prouder of her."
Chase Park Neuro Centre is a 60-bed care home that supports adults with brain injuries and neurological conditions.
