Hannah Wintle
Hannah's wingwalk - Fundraising for the Paediatric Spinal Team, South Tees Hospitals Charity!
Fundraising for South Tees Hospitals Charity
Story
To celebrate 10 years post scoliosis surgery, I will be completing a WINGWALK for the SOUTH TEES HOSPITALS CHARITY on the 26th of September 2024 (providing weather and other operations are good to go!)
❗️THIS WINGWALK HAS BEEN POSPONED DUE TO WEATHER (RAIN AND LOW CLOUD) A NEW DATE WILL BE PROVIDED ASAP - EARLIEST DATE AVAILABLE IS THE START OF NOVEMBER (Hopefully a weekend so people can come to watch!)❗️
I wish to raise money for the James Cook University Hospital (JCUH G120 fund) for the paediatric spine services.
I would like to give back to those who changed my life for the better so that they can continue to have a positive impact on other people's future's too. I want to spread awareness of scoliosis while inspiring others to live life to the max!
✨️Any donations will be greatly appreciated ✨️
I understand that this may not be possible for everyone, so instead, please interact and share this page 💜
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A message from South Tees Hospital Charity -
Thanks to your generous donations, we are able to enhance patient care and the well-being of our incredible NHS staff by funding initiatives over and above what the NHS would routinely provide.
Whether it’s state of the art equipment, pioneering research, or increased staff training, we’re committed to helping our local NHS go further. 💙
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What is scoliosis, and how can you spot it?
Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes the spine to curve abnormally to the side. Presenting itself usually in an S or C shape. While everyone has some natural curves in their spine, people with scoliosis have an exaggerated curve.
Some signs of scoliosis include: visibly curved spine, one shoulder or hip is higher or more prominent than the other, clothes don't hang properly, prominent ribcage, and a difference in leg lengths.
Scoliosis can affect people of any age, but it most often starts in children between the ages of 10 and 15. In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown.
My scoliosis story
Welcome to my world! My name is Hannah Wintle, I'm 25, and my fave icebreaker to tell people is "I have 2 titanium rods and 18 colbolt screws in my back!"
Every year around October 8th, I do something to celebrate operation day. (08.10.2014) This year, I wanted to do something memorable and different from what I've done previously as we're going into double digits!
The idea of wingwalking came about when at work. I work as cabin crew, and while briefing the overwing passengers about what to do in an emergency evacuation, a passenger curiously asked if I'd ever walked on the wing before. I said unfortunately not and made light conversation but then my mind got wondering... A few weeks later, after getting a medical from the surgeons to wingwalk, a flight was booked!
Yep, you've read that right... I love planes so much, I'm now going to strap myself to the wing of one!!!
I honestly can't wait to do this, to feel a new freeing feeling and give back to the people who have been so important in my life while doing so! I am forever grateful to you all and on behalf of all the people you have supported and improved the lives of over the years I want to say a huge thank you ❤️ (P.s I don't think the team have had anyone else do a wingwalk after surgery so it'll be a talking point for years to come!)
The real story;
Towards the end of 2013, I was referred straight to the NHS after falling on my right shoulder. It became more pronounced than my left, and after an x-ray, a discovery was made.
The diagnosis: Severe Idiopathic Scoliosis (aka they didn't know where my scoliosis had come from) with a 'S' curve and a twisted spine (Both hip and shoulders level froma front angle) All this was putting pressure on my internal organs but I was never in pain. In fact, I kept dancing, doing all my clubs and sports right up until surgery day.
It was in 2014 when I started the NHS process. After several x-rays, referrals, and talks, I was told it would be best to have surgery as my spine curve was severe. If I didn't have surgery, there could have been a possibility of limited mobility, pain in the future, various other problems, or worst case scenario, paralysis. I said yes to surgery pretty suddenly afterwards. I signed the form, even though my parents had to sign it on my behalf. If anything happened, I wanted them to know it was my own decision to have the surgery! (I was scared and tried not to show it, knew I was in safe hands, and I'd be back to my normal self/even better than before soon enough)
8th October 2014 - Operation day!
The day my life changed for the better had come! I was under the knife for 10+hrs and had titanium rods and several screws in my spine (All multicoloured may I add!) Fortunately I was left with mobility towards the bottom of my spine but this was only the start of my journey!
The pictures above show the before and after procedure, plus what my back looked like 2 years after.
The aftermath - I grew 2 inches overnight (guys, don't be jealous now!). Had 2 months bed rest, didn't speak to may friends, etc, while doing so. Because of this I missed school. Once a week my maths teacher (I will never forget you!) Would drop by and give me lessons/homework to prepare myself for the several GCSE exams I still had to do even while under the influence of drugs and some were done on my dining table at home which was agony! (I self taught a lot by reading textbooks, doing art projects and school assessments to kill time (I had no TV in my room!) I heavily relied on my parents and brother, for the first couple of weeks to get me around the place and I appreciate everything they did for me and the rollercoaster I out them through. Learning to move again (walking, lifting, etc) isn't a quick process. It's very painful and demoralising ( a lot of the time I hated asking for help as I'm a stubborn independent person, and inside, I knew I had to push through the pain to become stronger. (The pain is there sometimes still, but it's only when I overdo it/remember I have metal in me). I also had a bit of body dysmorphia (I lost a lot of weight as the x-ray shows). I wasn't allowed to contact sports again to 2 years later. For my 2 year anniversary I went to the alps on a college field trip where I hiked to the top of a glacier and did many other treks (I so want to go back there to explore more, complete the ice walk I wasn't able to do and to visit the Dolomites someday for a Via ferrata or two!)
In the last couple of years, I've been going to the gym and doing outdoor sports again. Travelling solo, getting stuck into hobbies, and so much more! I'm so happy to have this opportunity to tell a little bit of my story! Life is special...I'm so fortunate to be living each day as I do now!
What has fundraising done in the past, and how will your donations help?
In the past, donations raised have gone towards a movable x-ray screen and lightweight lead aprons. These measures help theatre teams to be subject to less radiation and are more comfortable to wear for longer surgeries. These are used for surgeries in all departments, not just spinals! The donations from this page will go used towards equipment, resources, and anything else the unit desires!
Thank you for all of your support, I truly appreciate it!
Love H 💜
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For more information, please take a look at the links below
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scoliosis/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-68113966
https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Talking-Point-January-2024-web.pdf
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If you've read this far, the moral of the story is to say yes and seek discomfort! Otherwise known as my favourite two motivational words..."🦆it!"
Now its time to fly 🪽❤️🔥
