Woman who relearned to walk eight times defies odds

A woman who has had to relearn how to walk eight times is preparing to take on a charity trek despite living with a condition that leaves her in constant pain.

Ebony Clark, 24, from Hartcliffe, Bristol, has undergone multiple hip operations because of hypermobility, a condition that causes her joints to dislocate easily and makes her bones extremely fragile.

She will attempt a fundraising walk for The Grand Appeal to support Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where she spent much of her childhood as a patient.

Her consultant, Dr James Barnes, said she had "been through a lot" but had "always remained positive", adding: "I wish Ebony the best of luck on her walk."

As a patient at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children since she was a toddler, Clark spent much of her first 17 years in and out of hospital.

Following a series of operations and extensive physiotherapy, she said she had to learn how to walk again after each surgery, most recently in February.

"I want to give back to the hospital that looked after me for so many years," she said.

Now an admin worker for Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, she works at the same hospital where she received treatment growing up.

"The earliest memory I have of being in hospital is aged four.

"But doctors and hospital staff have really helped to make my childhood feel as normal as possible," she said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Clark described hypermobility as an invisible condition.

"My bones don't work properly and my joints dislocate really easily," she said.

"I describe hypermobility as having a cold because no one can see it, but I feel it. It's there and it causes pain all of the time."

She said her bones are so brittle that she once broke a wrist by picking an object off the floor.

Clark will attempt to walk from south Bristol to Chew Valley Lake and on to the hospital, raising money for The Grand Appeal in January.

While some doctors were concerned the challenge could aggravate her condition, she remains determined to complete it and raise money for the charity.

A spokesperson for the Trust said they supported Ebony in her decision.

Dr Barnes, paediatric trauma and orthopaedic consultant at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, said: "She always shows up to her appointment with a smile, and a significant amount of cake."

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