A routine yawn turned into a life-threatening ordeal for Hayley Black, a 36-year-old mother-of-two from Milton Keynes. In 2016, a forceful yawn led to a broken neck, initiating a series of events that profoundly impacted her and her family, including facing homelessness. Mrs. Black, a former emergency call handler, shared her harrowing experience, hoping to raise awareness and encourage self-advocacy.

The incident occurred at 5 AM when Mrs. Black instinctively yawned and stretched after observing her newborn, Amelia, do the same. This seemingly innocuous action immediately resulted in an “excruciating pain” and an “electric shock sensation” that coursed through half of her body. She described feeling like her arm was stuck in the air, experiencing “electric spark sensations” akin to a seizure down one side. Recognizing the severity, she urged her husband, Ian, 39, to call an ambulance, despite his initial disbelief and thought she was simply panicking.

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

The journey to the hospital was excruciatingly painful for Mrs. Black. Upon arrival, initial scans failed to reveal any concerning issues, leaving medical staff baffled and Mrs. Black in immense agony. She recalled screaming in pain all night, even resorting to gas and air and desperately trying to knock herself unconscious. Despite her pleas that “something is seriously wrong,” nurses were frustrated, insisting the scans showed she was fine and healthy.

However, further tests conducted by doctors uncovered the true, devastating extent of her injury. Mrs. Black was completely paralysed down her right-hand side. Doctors explained that the C6 and C7 vertebrae in her neck had “shot forwards into [her] spine” due to the sheer force of the yawn, describing it as a “freak incident.” These cervical vertebrae are crucial for supporting the skull and connecting it to the rest of the body, with the dislodged ones specifically linked to upper limb movement.

The severity of her condition necessitated emergency surgery, medically known as a discectomy and fusion. Before the delicate procedure, Mrs. Black’s mother was given the heartbreaking news: there was a 50/50 chance that Hayley would not survive, and if she did, the same odds applied to her ability to ever walk again. A doctor later informed Mrs. Black that her low oxygen levels prior to surgery further complicated her survival chances.

Miraculously, the emergency surgery was successful. Mrs. Black woke up with all functions restored, a fact for which she remains eternally grateful. However, the experience left her deeply traumatised. To this day, she cannot yawn without panic and instinctively stifles any urge to do so, as it continues to affect her. She thanks the surgeons daily for allowing her to be with her children and lead an active life, acknowledging that not being in a wheelchair is a true miracle.

The recovery process has been gruelling, both physically and emotionally, for Mrs. Black and her husband, Ian, who became her full-time carer in the months following the incident. She now lives with excruciating nerve pain and has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a long-term condition causing widespread body pain, fatigue, and sleep and concentration issues. Mrs. Black had to re-learn how to walk and spent months in a wheelchair. She also bears a tracheal scar on her neck from the operation.

Photo Credit: The Mirror

The ongoing physical challenges include frequent shooting pains down her arms, back, neck, and head. She must take medication diligently, as skipping it results in electric shocks radiating up her spine and into her head with every step. Beyond the physical toll, the incident has had a significant financial impact on the Black family, leading to periods of homelessness. Mrs. Black struggles to maintain employment due to frequent sick leave and is unable to engage in physical activities like exercise classes or running around with her children.

Now, Mrs. Black feels compelled to share her story to warn others about the delicate nature of the neck and to urge people to advocate for themselves. She emphasises that such “freak incidents” can happen and that trusting one’s instincts about one’s own body is paramount. Living with chronic illness has taught her to cherish the small moments and good days, reminding others that healing is a messy, personal journey. Her message to those facing chronic pain or recovery is to heal in their own way, acknowledge the struggle, and remember that they don't have to be a hero, but simply get through each day as best they can.