A YOUNG woman battling a rare and incurable genetic disease has renewed her desperate appeal for funds after doctors uncovered further life-threatening damage to her spine.

Laura Sylvester, 23, a former Alton Convent School pupil, successfully underwent neurosurgery in Washington DC on January 13 after raising £75,000 in just three weeks thanks to generous donations following a plea for funds.

Her condition, known as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with postural tachycardia syndrome, causes the connective tissues in her body to stretch and break, leaving Laura at constant risk of fatally damaging her brain stem.

Laura’s first operation has crucially created stability in her neck and reduced the risk of death – albeit at the cost of losing almost complete movement of her head and neck.

But since the op Laura has undergone further clinical tests, X-rays and MRI scans after experiencing similar but differently-sourced neurological symptoms not linked with her first surgery or neck injuries.

Unfortunately, this now requires further life-saving surgery in order to preserve her lower body motor and sensory functions.

Laura is, therefore, in urgent need of a second bout of critical and equally-costly life-saving neurosurgery.

She said: “I am pleased and relieved to say that my first surgery was a complete success. The operation was just over four hours long and despite further life-threatening complications encountered during the surgery, Dr Fraser Henderson was able to perform all the necessary procedures.

“He said that I was one of the most challenging surgical patients he has come across and was amazed I was still alive, saying I must have had a guardian angel watching over me and came to him just in time.

“I was up and able to take my first steps only 22 hours after surgery. The doctors were amazed I was able to do this so soon after and hadn’t seen a patient do it before.

“However, I’ve since been diagnosed with tethered spinal cord syndrome in my first and second lumbar vertebrae and spina bifida occulta of my sacrum (S1) vertebra which means this bone is incompletely formed, resulting in an exposed and unprotected region of my spinal cord.

“If left untreated, ultimately this will fundamentally threaten my quality of life. Should I experience a fall or trauma, there is a high risk that any part of my spinal cord could de-tether or disconnect which would cause permanent paralysis to my lower body.”

Laura’s second procedure is scheduled for next Wednesday, February 17, again in Washington DC at the hands of Dr Henderson, one of the few neurosurgeons in the world qualified to perform such a technique.

It is hoped the surgery will release the stress on her spinal cord and prevent any further risk to her lower body motor and sensory functions, thus allowing Laura to get her life back on track and resume her masters degree in petroleum geoscience at Imperial College, London.

To raise funds for the second procedure, Laura has launched a second fundraising appeal online at youcaring.com/careforlaurasylvester with the target of raising an additional £70,000 on top of the £125,000 already raised before her second procedure on February 17.

As well as the surgery, any funds raised will also go toward Laura’s expenses, including hospital fees, medication, initial physiotherapy and hotel accommodation for the extended stay until April before she is allowed to return to the UK, as well as the post-operative rehabilitation care she will need for the rest of her life.

She continued: “My family and I are extremely indebted to those who have donated thus far to what we believed would be the only surgery required. Nonetheless, we now urgently face another life-threatening hurdle.

“As time is of the essence and my life-saving surgery is less than two weeks away, I am asking you to please consider donating to my ‘Surgery #2’ fundraising appeal. I will be forever grateful for your support in helping me through this most difficult time of my life. Thank you.”

As well as fundraising, Laura is posting regular updates on her treatment and life with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome online at mindbodyeds.me.