Teen given model hopes after life changing spinal surgery at Alder Hey

Teenager Daisy-Mai Ansbro has been given hopes of becoming a model after ‘life-changing’ surgery at Alder Hey.

The 17-year-old underwent a complex nine-hour operation to correct curvature of her spinal column caused by scoliosis which she’d been diagnosed with as a baby.

In May last year Surgeons straightened and stabilised Daisy-Mai’s spine using rods and screws which fuse sections of it together and removed ribs to help correct the shape of her chest and improve her posture.

Now, she’s not only three inches taller and free from the brace she’d had to wear from the age of 11, the hair and beauty student has hopes of becoming a model after being approached by two major modelling agencies.

Daisy-Mai says:

“I love my new body, and I feel so much better about how I look and not having the feeling that there’s something wrong with me.”

Mum Louisa adds:

“The difference it’s made has been incredible.

“Daisy-Mai has regained her strength and her confidence.  She has returned to college, and the surgery has been life changing.

“Now, to have attracted interest and have these new opportunities from two major modelling agencies – one for which she attended a casting day last week – is amazing, and she is just thriving.”

Daisy-Mai and Louisa had to make numerous 12-hour round trips from their home in Newquay to seek treatment in Liverpool, yet Louisa insists:

“We’ve been to a lot of hospitals over the years but Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is completely different. It honestly feels like a medical sanctuary for children and their families. 

“There’s something so special about it, you feel safe from the moment you walk in and know you’re in the very best possible care.”

Daisy-Mai was diagnosed with scoliosis – which affects about three or four children in every 1,000 in the UK – at nine months old.

It was highlighted after scans and treatment for a rare congenital heart defect, transposition of the great arteries (TGA), where the two main arteries leaving the heart are switched. 

Daisy-Mai underwent five major open heart surgeries shortly after birth to correct that which at one point left her fighting for her life.

And because of that, and the fact that although her scoliosis began to visibly affect her posture it didn’t cause her pain, spinal surgery was deferred until it became absolutely necessary.

Louisa explained:

“Daisy-Mai got used to the brace and so wanted not to have the surgery, but she stopped wearing the brace at 16 and we were warned that the curvature could eventually affect her lungs and her heart.”

“Seeing the X-rays and realising how bad it was was terrifying.

“Because of her cardiac history, surgery was always considered a last resort, so we did everything we could to manage things conservatively for as long as possible.

“At that stage, Daisy-Mai was old enough to understand what was happening, which made it even more emotional. She was understandably frightened, especially knowing how major spinal fusion surgery is.”

The family asked to be referred to Alder Hey after seeing a similar patient’s story on Instagram and being assured of a multi-disciplinary team who carefully planned her treatment to ensure the best outcome possible.

Louisa says:

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a dedicated and skilled team, our hero Mr Neil Davidson and her anaesthetist Radha Ravi.

“The operation was successful and Daisy-Mai’s recovery has been transformative. She showed incredible bravery throughout.”

Daisy-Mai says:

“I knew something was wrong when I had to start wearing a brace. It was hard at times and uncomfortable, but I tried to stay positive.

“I was really scared about the surgery because it is a massive operation but everyone at Alder Hey was kind and made me feel safe.  I’m so grateful for the care and everything the hospital has done for me.”

Louisa says:

“Every member of the team at Alder Hey went above and beyond. We will forever be grateful to the nurses on ward 4A who were compassion and funny, and to the surgical team – their expertise and their humanity.

“Instead of being frightened, Daisy-Mai is now looking forward to the future with excitement.

“The difference between now and almost a year ago is unbelievable and Alder Hey has been the biggest blessing of her life.”

Find out more about Alder Hey here.

Find out more about some of the incredible schemes and initiatives across Liverpool on our website.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.