Жительница Ньюкасла восстановила способность передвигаться в инвалидной коляске после опухоли мозга и инсульта

Newcastle woman 'won't give up' amid rehab after shock brain tumour and stroke took her independence Mandy Leach was left reliant on others when she had developed a rare brain tumour and had a stroke. A Tyneside brain tumour survivor was left entirely reliant on carers when she fell suddenly ill - but now after three years and intensive rehabilitation, she is celebrating being able to move her own wheelchair and regaining independence. Mandy Leach, 59, was healthy and active - enjoying hobbies such as fishing and photography and working as a carpenter. But three years ago she was diagnosed with a rare slow-growing brain tumour called an oligodendroglioma, and also sufffered a stroke. Between the two conditions, she was left reliant on others even just to move her wheelchair. But since then, she has been on a structured rehabilitation programme at Chase Park Neuro Centre in Whickham. There, support including hydrotherapy, sessions on a Motomed exercise bike and "supported walking practice" have helped to transform her recovery. Newcastle woman Mandy said: "Before I came here, I enjoyed going fishing, photography and carpentry, and I loved my job working with people and helping them day to day. I miss the independence of doing basic things that I need help with now, but I am happy I am here. "It felt incredible when I first managed to move independently again, although I am still working on it - I picked it up quite quickly. It's still ongoing, but I've come on a lot, and I have my family’s support. I won’t give up." Mandy's mother Carol McLaughlin, 82, said: ""Before this, my biggest worry was whether she could be helped at all. Mandy had gone from an active life to being 100% disabled and depending on others 24 hours a day, with no life of her own. "Watching her use the wheelchair I feel so proud of her and the effort she puts into everything that's asked of her. She wants to be mobile again, and you can see that in everything she does. It gives us hope for the future - even her brothers get emotional watching her move herself around. We can see some of the old Mandy coming back." Anthony Saiger, manager at Chase Park, said: "Mandy's progress is a fantastic example of what's possible when the right support, environment and determination come together. When she came to us, Mandy needed help with every single transfer and every movement of her wheelchair. "To see her now propelling herself, after working so hard with our therapy team is exactly why we do this job. Mandy's determination has been the driving force behind her progress, and we couldn't be prouder of her." Chase Park Neuro Centre is a 60 bed care home that supports adults with brain injuries and neurological conditions. ChronicleLive has created a dedicated WhatsApp community for breaking news and our biggest stories. You can join this WhatsApp community here. It will keep you up-to-date with news as it breaks and our top stories of the day sent directly to your phone. Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.