A WOMAN whose life has been transformed by complications following a debilitating disease is determined to fly to America for life-changing surgery on her brain.
Former hairdresser Sarah Jackson went from living her dreams in Australia to now barely leaving the house.
Sarah, 30, of Eight Ash Green, was diagnosed with Lyme disease in about 2014.
This summer she was also diagnosed with a range of complex neurological conditions as well as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
As a result, she suffers from extreme neck and facial pain, numbness, vertigo and must also wear a neck brace when sitting up.
Because of Lyme disease, Sarah is never without sunglasses, even indoors, due to severe photophobia, on top of dealing with chronic fatigue.
Illness has taken a huge toll on her both mentally and physically.
Sarah said: “It's horrible. It's almost like people get bored of it and I think probably lots of people have even unfollowed me on Facebook because they're bored of my sickness.
"I’ve lost a lot of friends over it because I’m literally stuck in bed in the dark and can only socialise for half an hour to an hour, if I’m lucky."
Sarah at home in Eight Ash Green
UK doctors have told her it is too risky to operate on her because of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of genetic connective tissue disorders which can cause loose joints and abnormal scar formation.
However, Sarah says she needs this operation to claim her life back so is trying to raise £300,000 to pay for surgery in the US.
The constant fundraising to pay for private treatment exhausts her but it is her only available option.
She said: “If I could get this done, it would take the words from my mouth.
“A lot of my problems have been down to these sorts of symptoms.
“For a start, the operation would stabilise my neck because it’s so unstable at the moment, it’s dangerous.
“It’s not nice having to fundraise, no-one wants to have to do it but it’s such a huge amount of money.”
A photo of Sarah when she was in good health
One friend, Lee Challis, is bungee jumping off a crane at the O2 this month to support Sarah.
She hopes her story might encourage others and even companies to rally behind her.
In the meantime, she is approaching her operation with fearlessness.
She said: “To be honest, I couldn’t care less about the actual operation, I just want to get well.
“I’ve been so unwell for so long.
“This operation has helped so many other people that I’m determined to get it done.
“It’s a life-saver rather than just an operation.”
Visit gofundme.com/slsnbs to read more of Sarah’s story and donate.
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