A mum who needs life-changing surgery after a car accident left her bedbound hopes one day she will be well enough to play with her children again.

Four years ago, Louise Turner from Ashford was involved in a minor collision – but an unknown underlying medical condition meant the impact for her was life-changing.

The 38-year-old now can't walk more than a few metres, has to rely on a wheelchair and is often not well enough to leave the house.

It means she misses out on doing the school run and spending time outside with her four children, something she is desperate to be able to do again.

In December 2019, Miss Turner had just gone to Tesco to get her son some Calpol when a car drove into the back of her at about 30mph.

Miss Turner said: “I noticed an ambulance coming up so I slowed down and stopped.

“The car behind me only paid attention to the lights being green and went into me.

“Initially, adrenaline took over and I got out of the car, had a bit of a panic, but I didn't feel too bad. But over the next few days, I noticed I couldn't keep my head up.”

A severe case of whiplash meant things took a turn for the worse and Miss Turner started having “unbearable” pressure in her head and double vision.

“I kept going to A&E but all they did was treat me for a migraine,” she explained.

“I went numb from my face to my feet so I went back to the hospital because at this point I knew it wasn't just a migraine.”

After being discharged, Miss Turner had a five-week episode of high pressure in her head, something she describes as “the worst thing she has ever been through”.

For 18 months, the symptoms persisted until a specialist from the William Harvey Hospital was finally able to give her answers.

“After a really bad weekend, clear fluid started pouring out of my nose and after that, I started feeling better.

“A few days later I had an appointment with Dr Neumann at the Harvey who was a lifesaver for me.”

Dr Neumann diagnosed Miss Turner with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), cranial instability, Intracranial hypertension and a CSF leak.

“For the first time, I felt validated,” said Miss Turner.

The underlying EDS is a hypermobility syndrome where connective tissues in the body are weaker and too stretchy.

This led to the further complications after the accident.

The diagnosis prompted Miss Turner to join a support group and it was through online friends she learned about doctors in Barcelona who specialised in her conditions.

After having consultations, they confirmed Miss Turner would benefit from spinal fusion surgery.

The procedure itself is available in the UK, but not for someone with needs as complex as Miss Turner’s which means she will have to fund it herself.

She said: “The surgery varies from case to case but I have a friend who has gone from being severely poorly to walking her dog.

“If that was her outcome, I am really positive about how much this is going to change my life.

“I miss spending time with my kids, normal everyday stuff that people take for granted like doing the school run.

“As much as that used to be mundane, I miss stuff like that massively.”

To pay for the surgery, Miss Turner needs to raise a staggering £70,000 and set up a GoFundMe page to help.

After two years, they have raised an impressive £41,905.

Miss Turner’s fiance Robin McNicoll explained the surgery itself costs an eye-watering £46,000.

There are also additional medical costs of £13,400, as well as the need to pay for travel and somewhere to stay while she recovers.

“We need to get to Barcelona and because Louise can't fly it means a 24-hour ferry which is very expensive,” he said.

“Then there’s fuel because we will have to drive from the north of Spain to Barcelona, and then there are accommodation costs while we’re there.

“Without everyone's support, we wouldn't be in a position where it feels tangible.”

While a large amount was donated by Miss Turner’s father, the rest has been raised through sponsored activities.

Her children Luis, 19, Sidney, 15, Travis 11, and Astraea, 10, hope the surgery means they can go on family adventures again.

Sidney said: “It has changed how much we go out, and how we create memories.

“We went from being able to do those things, to then suddenly not, and when we can do things, it’s lovely but also restricted.

“The surgery would mean a lot as it would mean she is able to be back to how she was.”