A TEENAGE girl has been left in chronic pain and unable to stand by herself after a routine appendix removal surgery.
Emily McDonald, 17, had her life ‘changed completely’ after a surgery in 2021 turned her from an active 14-year-old to being in constant pain.
She has since been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and has had three operations to improve her situation.
She said: “The pain feels like a mixture of stabbing, burning and quite often it feels like my bones are snapping.
“It (CRPS) can cause swelling, colour change, loss of feeling, massively increased sensitivity and even for your body to reject limbs."
However, following her most recent surgery she has been left unable to stand or sit by herself and relies on crutches or a wheelchair to move.
After exhausting all options through the NHS, Emily and her family are now fundraising for private treatment in the US.
Andrea McDonald, her mum, said her daughter is ‘incredible’ and ‘really positive’ despite her condition.
“We'd seen the treatment before, but it was too much money, so we just dismissed it because we wanted to try and explore everything in the NHS,” said Andrea.
The specialist treatment costs £50,000 alone and takes 14 weeks to complete.
To help fund the treatment, family friend Daniel Chambers has organised a charity football match in Swanage.
Emily said: “I've always loved football, but since I've not been well, I've been trying to find an interest.
“And because I've spent more time at home, I've been watching all the football games, like the women's Euros. And then since then, I try and go to as many games as I can.
“It's literally changed my life.”
Following a TikTok posted by Emily’s sister she was also able to Facetime Arsenal players Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead.
The charity football match will see the ‘March for McDonald’ team face Swanage FC at Swanage Town and Herston Football Club on Sunday, November 26.
Special guests will include Mark Redknapp and Tommy Killick.
The Just Giving fundraiser titled ‘we’re raising £75,000 to help change Emily McDonald’s life forever’ has already raised over £50,000.
Emily’s mum has now officially booked the treatment and extra donations will help the family pay for their travel and accommodation.
Tickets for the football match can be found on Eventbrite’s website under the title ‘charity football match’.
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