Bionic arms bid for ‘little miracle’
PAL’S FUNDRAISER FOR AMPUTEE
A MAJOR fundraising campaign has been launched to get bionic arms for a woman whose limbs had to be amputated after she developed sepsis.
Kathleen Maher, of Fellgate, Jarrow, fell ill around two years ago.
She lived with her brother Anthony and their 87-year-old mother, for whom they were joint carers, and at that time, Kathleen worked as a legal secretary for a firm of maritime insurers in Newcastle.
Having been unwell all week, she collapsed at home and was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital.
It was found she had influenza B, double pneumonia, endocarditis and sepsis. She was placed in an induced coma and intubated to allow medical staff to treat her. A consultant told the family she might not survive.
Kathleen was placed on numerous medications and constant dialysis as her kidneys had ceased to function. Necrosis then set into her hands and feet as her circulation worsened and the veins began to collapse.
Her brother, Michael Maher, said: “Despite the severity of her illness, she somehow managed to keep going and was eventually transferred to the ICCU (integrated critical care unit) at Sunderland Royal Hospital under the care of the vascular and renal teams. Her consultant at South Tyneside dubbed her his ‘little miracle.’ The staff in ITU in South Tyneside were absolutely marvellous in their care and it has to be said they saved Kathleen’s life.”
However, having spent another month in ICCU, Kathleen was informed that her limbs could not be saved and she would require amputation to prevent further infection.
She had two separate operations to firstly remove both legs six inches below the knee, then both arms below the elbow.
Michael says his sister, 48, is trying to adapt to her new way of life, however, the prosthetic limbs she has been supplied with are rudimentary.
“Despite her courage and willingness, she struggles to use them to any great effect,” said Michael.
“Having seen the much more stateof-the-art ‘Hero Arms’ being used by other amputees, we feel they would be hugely beneficial in providing her with a bit more independence.”
One of Kathleen’s friends, Kate Watson, has started a Gofundme page to help raise £30,000 so she can get Hero Arms through Open Bionics.
Kate, who used to work with Kathleen, said her friend had been a dedicated carer for her mother, who has since died.
She added: “Kathleen is such a lovely person. She quietly gets on with things and is so unassuming.
“Open Bionics have been doing amazing work for a number of years now and recently Kathleen got the fantastic news that she is medically a candidate for Hero Arms. I worked out that all it needs is 600 people to give £50 and we will hit our target.”