Back in July, my mum went into hospital for a back operation that was meant to change her life for the better. She was full of hope that the surgery would ease her pain, help her walk again, and allow her to enjoy life with her family without constant agony.

But everything changed the very next day.

When she woke up, she couldn’t feel her leg. Test after test was carried out, yet no clear answers were ever found. Somehow, during or after the operation, my mum lost the use of her leg and was left paralysed. Our strong, independent mum — who was always on the go, helping others and spending precious time with her grandchildren — had her entire world turned upside down overnight.

She has since spent months in hospital and is now in Southport Spinal Rehabilitation, where she has been told she is unlikely to ever walk again. This news has been utterly devastating for her and heartbreaking for our family.

As if this wasn’t enough, my mum also suffers from severe arthritis in her hands, which means a manual wheelchair is not suitable for her. To have any level of independence when she is finally discharged, she will need an electric wheelchair. However, the impact of her paralysis goes far beyond mobility.

My mum has been left without a home. She cannot return to her previous property as it is completely unsuitable for wheelchair access. We are currently waiting for support from the council and hoping for a bungalow or adapted property, but there is nothing available locally, and waiting lists are long and uncertain. In the meantime, she has nowhere she can safely live once she finishes her rehab.

We are now faced with the reality of needing to find her a suitable home and build a comfortable, accessible place where she can begin to rebuild her life. This includes furnishing a new property from scratch — something she never imagined having to do at this stage of her life. She has gone from being independent and settled, to having nothing to go back to.

Many essential items are fully funded by the NHS however, the delays are long and she deserves comfort and dignity sooner rather than later. We need to ensure she has a supportive sofa, accessible kitchen equipment, and much more to help her manage everyday tasks.

That is why we are fundraising, to help cover cost and to help her live comfortable and as happy as we can make her.

A safe and reliable electric wheelchair

Essential furniture for her new, accessible home. Support with moving and settling into a suitable property

Items that allow her to live with comfort, independence, and dignity

My mum has always been a hardworking, caring woman who gave so much to others. She never asked for help and always put her family first, especially her grandchildren. Now, after such a traumatic and unexpected life change, she needs support — and we want to do everything we can to make sure she feels safe, comfortable, and valued.

Any donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference. Even sharing this page means more than you know.

Thank you for taking the time to read my mum’s story, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting her through the hardest time of her life