A MUM-of-five desperate to get back to family life, in need of urgent medical treatment, has launched a huge fundraising drive after discovering she has a blood clot in her head.

Bedbound Leah Smith, 37, who is living in temporary accommodation in Denbigh, was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) in March; a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue.

About 10 days ago, she discovered she has a blood clot in her head, which she said is ‘more than likely’ down to the blocked internal jugular veins.

The mum said the NHS can’t help and more than £31,000 is needed so she can undergo private treatment.

Both of Leah’s internal jugular veins are almost completely blocked which was discovered in July through self funded scans.

This is Leah’s third fundraiser. She has been bedbound since 2017 when her ordeal started.

Rhyl Journal:

Before Leah's ordeal started

The money from this campaign could make a significant difference and may enable the former Prestatyn High School pupil the opportunity to have ‘decent quality of life.’

Leah said: “I can’t get any further without the fundraiser.

“I was told about the blood clot about 10 days ago. It was a massive shock.

“It has all been discovered privately and is an old clot. Blood thinners won’t touch it.

“I need to go back to the interventional neuroradiologist, this is in Cambridge. I need to have specific scans, I need stenting on each side, a catheter via the groin and potential surgery depending on what the scans show.

“This could potentially get me upright but it costs - hundreds then thousands.

“I have the most positive mindset and will do whatever it takes.

“I need to be in a position where I can enjoy family life.”

Leah was diagnosed last March with EDS in London at Harley Street Clinic.

Rhyl Journal:

Leah has been bedbound for two years

She said: “It is a double sided thing. It is more positive than negative.

“Knowledge is power.

“There is no treatment, it is genetic. I have had it all my life so it ties everything together, brings my story together.

“We need all the jigsaw pieces but with EDS, you have to be a lot more careful.”

As Leah’s internal jugular veins are almost completely blocked, she experiences a lot of pain and loses the use of her arms and legs. She has episodes of altered consciousness, severe head pain, speech problems, vision issues and face and mouth numbness.

She added: “When I try to move from bed to the toilet it sets off stroke like symptoms where my left side drops and feels heavy like concrete.”

Leah has been suffering with Cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) due to a lumbar puncture back in March 2017.

She has an NHS doctor - who treats patients privately - a specialist in dealing with her particular issues, but he is located in England.

In December last year, both her GP and the NHS specialist applied for cross border funding for her to be treated by him, but the application was declined. An appeal made by the specialist himself, but Leah - who lived in Prestatyn and has been in Denbigh for nine months - said her body cannot wait.

“I am ready for my luck to change,” she said.

“For my children, this is normal for them, but I want to have a normal family life."

To support Leah and donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leah-smith-943