You don't even wanna know how tiny mistakes have killed people. People sitting next to a child to give a flu shot can sometimes lead to putting there gloved hand or needle on a unclean surface. That leads to so many deaths it will make your head spin
The sterilized needle touches an unclean surface before it is used on the child. It has caused lots of deaths that why in some hospitals everything is so micromanaged which is good for the patient in a way but alienates the hospital workers
Yes, tiny mistakes can lead to huge consequences... but that was NOT a tiny mistake. There are strict regulations in place that prevent the slightes chances of this happening. Contamination is a HUGE thing in medical/medicinal industry and because of that, it is most likely a result of a large scale neglect. There simply is no room for this type of mistake and therefore the preventative measures wouldn't allow for it to happen easily.
everyone’s saying “at least she didn’t die” but she still lost the life she could’ve had and so much opportunity due to negligence from the hospital staff
Jack Jack well effectively she *did* die, the girl she was before the operation has gone, never to return. It’s just tragic all round, her mother cant mourn for her daughter yet, she’s too busy taking care of her when they should both be enjoying life. Very sad. Very, very sad.
@@missyw589 - I believe she is slightly brain damaged as well. The documentary said she has retained her intelligence, but I don't believe she is fully the same person she used to be. That may account for some of the peculiar expressions.
My God can someone please get her a "voice box" like Stephen Hawking had? She would at least have A voice then, and not have to "ask" to speak with the help of a board. Even that would give her a lot more power and agency back in her life. "I can't move, but I can bloody well speak whenever I wish."
I image she cant speak anymore because of something in her brain and not because she doesnt have a tongue or something so i wonder if a voice box will work at all. Edit: i assumed by foice box you meant a electrolarynx (i had to google that one first lol) so i could have assumed the wrong thing with my comment.
It is slightly over two years since this was published. I hope she received compensation to at least help her and her mom get by. What a beautiful girl.
she has received compensation, she lives in a new house, she can speak , her mobility has improved but shes still in a wheelchair plus she looks much better - google search Anna White the guardian
White has begun to perform simple, everyday tasks such as brushing her teeth, combing her hair, eating and even putting on makeup. She can speak and stand for brief periods unaided, and is hopeful she may one day be able to walk again. - from The Guardian
Not one person from the card has seen Anna since her surgery? Not ONE? That is what breaks my heart the most. The utter loneliness she must face day to day without her friends from before he surgery. It's just utterly heartbreaking... holding back tears. Her mother deserves an award for having the strength to fight this. Bless both of them.
Popular friends aren't real friends, they're just using each other to get higher up in society. I bet if she'd have had a quiet/nerdy friend that she'd at least visit once! Underdogs support each other while popular kids enjoy having less competition.
people get embarrassed around the disabled and/or terminally ill. I've had two terminally ill people in my family, one took 10 years to die and the other one horrible, hellish year. All you can think is that you hope your family member dies soon so they can be released from their suffering but also so YOU can be released from their suffering. And you don't know how to feel about yourself for thinking that.
That's how it is. I had a bunch of "friends" , then I started having mental illness problems and needed meds. When my "friends" found out I couldn't drink anymore and took meds , boom. Gone. Noone ever came to visit me or ask me how I was when I was in hospital or bedbound. Exept my parents. Parents really are the best ..no matter what happens to you, they'll still stick with you. Even today, those people don't care a dime about me. But my parents still do. All love to Mum and Dad , and this mother here reminds me of my own. Bless xx
+Pandora yeah. parents, although not all parents are the ones who can unconditionally love their children and that is what makes this particular relationship so special. as such, so special to not lose. i will never forget the day it was my birthday during my junior year in high school and i came home from school, bummed out that barely anybody said happy birthday to me or noticed. my waking hours during the week were always when my mom would be working or sleeping, the only real time i got to talk or see her was on the weekends. there, i can't remember too clearly but i believe it could have been a card accompanied with ? snacks with "happy birthday, ______! mommy loves you." and that reduced me to tears in the realization that it doesn't matter what certain "friends" in high school do, it's your parent/(s) who can suffice.
I hope she gets compensation. One can see how well she is cared for and how neglected the mum looks. One only has to look at them to see the mum gives her everything. Often the carers are overlooked. I hope they get compensation so that they can get another carer in (as well as more equipment). The mother deserves to have a little time to herself too.
I wish I could say I surprised by the girls friends abandoning her, but I’m really not. I’ve seen it happen to so many people. It’s sickening, but the average person doesn’t want a sick/disabled friend. And before anyone reading this starts into their self-righteous thoughts of “but I’m not like that!”, I ask you to please take a look at your friends. How many of them are disabled? How many of them have constant doctors visits and hospital stays? How many of them need mobility devices to get around? I’m going to guess the answer is zero, because it usually is. To make the situation even harder for disabled people (a group I belong to), many of us don’t work so we don’t meet people the way other people do. That makes both friendships and dating really hard.
I do have a lot of friends who are terminally ill, because I have a chronic disease myself. Although I do have friends who have partial disabilities due to stroke/bone cancer, and I have noticed through them, how difficult it is to go out and live life. Most shopping malls, schools, uni or public areas in general don't have facilities that would allow people on crutches or wheelchairs to move around comfortably. I can only imagine how hard it would be if a person was paralyzed like this to go out and have a social life.
Heartbreaking. that none of her friends from old days visited her...maybe because they [being young] just cannot have the emotional strength to see their contemporary like this? just so tragic...what was the anaesthetic? unbelievable that such a basic error was done. Not to remove a drug contaminated line... shocking.
as someone who became disabled in my first year of high school, her story in losing her friends and what her life once was post disability causing injury is so relatable to me it hurts, i have get well messages from friends still as well, all of whom left because my disability slowed me down.
Highschool is when teens start to realise that life (as our society wants it) is a competition to be the most succesful. Teens are often heartless because they usually don't have the experiences in life to be empathetic, they only want to know how to be cool or get good grades. It's good they at least cared at first though.
L5940 exept thats not what life is it is so much more. i pity anyone who thinks life is at all just a competition. sucess and happiness arent one and the same. i am disabled, i cant work. and i can still live a very happy life. i had to learn this lesson in high school. that my life wasnt over just because of this.
Of course disabled people have valid lives but those highschool teens are shooting for the stars, trying to become models/businessmen/doctors ect.. They do also realise that they have to enjoy life but they do this by drinking to meet partners and partying. Don't get me wrong, a lot of them fail and become depressed seeing their friends succeed more. I know that life is more but some of these teens have been taught these lessons since childhood by their parents. Life can really be a drag sometimes when you're forced to participate in the competition for meaningless succes that'll eventually lead to more money and luxery if you're lucky. But it's the way that society works, not very fun. So just be happy with who you are and think of many ways to enjoy life in your own way.
Often, kids don’t know how to relate to someone with issues. They feel awkward and don’t know what to say. Especially when there’s brain and voice issues. Many adults don’t know how to deal with this stuff, either!
Never visiting an old friend even once is one big step beyond just feeling awkward. They only cared about having fun, not about her as a person unfortunately. It's not a rare thing in our first world society though.
OMG what is wrong with nurses these days? I'm a nurse and I would never ever ever even touch a patient before washing my hands, let alone sticking things in someone's veins without making sure their sterile. This is incredibly negligent.
This is very sad. But it's great that the NHS is a public entity that is able to admit when it's wrong. The hospitals in America would fight tooth and nail to avoid the costs. I wouldn't mind paying more tax so people like this could get the compensation they deserve. And if you don't agree you're a selfish prick.
YifeiLIM91 - I actually know a girl who briefly held the record for the largest sum awarded in a medical malpractice trial. Lawyers from all 50 states flew in for the final verdict and it had to be moved to a larger venue. Obviously, the mistake in question was catastrophic. A doctor teamed up with a medical testing manufacturer to lie to cover up faulty equipment. They then lied to an ER to get the ER to the patient away unseen, to try to hide their lies. A baby went from a bright future to being told the best thing would be to give her morphine while her mom held her while she died. The mom demanded they at least try to save her baby. The end result is a child who is mildly-to-moderately developmentally delayed but locked in even more than the girl shown. She has extreme medical issues and is now on hospice in her final days of life, at only 25 years old. The hospital that turned them away settled quickly, practically yelling, “please take our money!” They knew what they did was horribly wrong. The device manufacturer took some detective work to uncover the depth of their lies, but once the truth came out, they knew better than go to court and they too settled. The doctor, though, tried to fight it. This resulted in a massive court case. The doctor lost and the award was massive. The doctor then agreed to a settlement that was less than the declared winnings and finally paid up. (In the US, an award like that is always hotly contested, meaning the families can go years, even decades, without seeing a penny. So people who lose badly will often offer to settle for a smaller sum in order to avoid the massive legal fees that would be caused by multiple appeals.)
R.C West - I’m laughing so hard I can barely breath. No, no American hospitals do NOT admit fault. For one thing, admitting fault can result in hemorrhaging money. A judge sees an admission of a mistake and awards the patient huge bucks in court. And then there’s the fact that American hospitals have gotten used to being allowed to be unrepentant assholes. The hospital chain I’m surrounded by won’t take any feedback calls unless you’re calling to shower them in praises. If anything went wrong, they’ll hang up on you.
There is a specialist job in NHS hospitals that the role of which is simply to clean and sterilize used equipment. I know because a friend does it but I can't for the life of me think what it is called.
They *should* feel horrible, imagine your own child having to go through this because some nurses forgot a part of the standard procedure. Hospital staff gets payed to get it right, to make people better instead of worse. I hope they found out who was responsible and fired them, if you can't follow standard procedure than nursing shouldn't be your job.
Omg. Something as simple as making sure ALL of the equipment is clean prior to a surgery is what fucked up her life. Insane. I send positivity their way. Anna's smile is incredible to see. Thank heavens she has such a wonderful mother.
Everything was clean prior to surgery that wasn't the problem. What they mean is the nurse did not flush out the medication in the IV cannula after surgery, therfore left over medication was administered
I just watched an update and this amazing girl is 21 now and is starting to talk again and undertaking rehab to walk again! So inspirational! She got her compensation as well, so they have been able to get her the best assisted living devices to help with her recovery ❤️
+Em .Blackburn Er ? Junior Doctors are going on strike over pay and conditions, Your right working 60 plus hours a week will lead to mistakes, But the first mistake is allowing them to do so, A Doctor called in for a twelve hour emergency shift can charge the NHS near a grand for a days work, No wonder they put in twelve hour shifts early in the week, They want their bonus pay, Notice the surgery hours are still Victorian era though, There`s not a business structure on the planet who would not regulate the shift patterns to avoid that position, If you want to help support the NHS Way into the future, The system cannot be allowed by any group to be extorted for their own ends over the medical service itself
xmoroseguyx I can agree with that, but those would be some pretty hard reforms to make. Wish we had a competent Health Secretary or something outlandish like that.
This was most certainly NOT a tiny mistake. Is it common to give patients medication thru used/dirty equipment? Surely not! So this was a huge mistake and had catastrophic results for this young lady and her family.
Anna is such a sweat child that smile is and why have her friends not seen her?! That's completely sad. I wish I wish one at least would come to see Anna tears tears :(
uKnow - most people who become disabled are abandoned by their friends sooner or later. It’s an incredibly well known phenomenon in the disabled community. Even people who become paralyzed or have an amputation but then lead an incredibly normal and healthy life afterwards face this issue. For people with major ongoing problems who are constantly in and out of doctors offices and hospitals, friendships are often a thing of the past.
Didn't they say they lived far away from them? It might be harder for friends to visit due to them moving away or some type of inconvenience like that. They may not have abandoned her. I'm just saying it may not be entirely intentional for all of her friends.
C really? Are you disabled? no offense with that ? I am curious. I never knew it was a "phenomenon". I just thought it is normal for one to stick around a friend that went through such a thing like this, I mean it is harder to stick around I guess in reality because of effort in the knew mental or physical state, I am not sure so was surprised to hear that no one came to visit her after writing sweat notes surly I thought 2 at least would come to visit with her. Shame real shame I feel in my heart.
Her popular healthy friends are young adults now, they would probably feel uncomfortable seeing her as they don't like to be confronted with disability at their age. I know it's horrible of them but they're putting their own selfish needs for no confrontation above her social needs, they were probably not very nice empathic people to begin with.
Anna is so so cute. I love how her mother has kept her hair long, much harder to maintain but a real mood-lifter for Anna. Since Anna’s friends are still young, like her, they’re most likely struggling with what to say, what to talk about, afraid they’ll say the wrong thing, how to communicate, etc. Then when you add major guilt to the mix for not visiting, they’re in a real quandary. Plus, can they ever share what’s happening in their lives too?? Of course!! Anna’s mom needs to help them realize that it would bring joy to Anna to hear all about their lives as well. Please take a different approach & help Anna understand that her friends mean no harm. Maybe Anna & her mom could invite them to the house for a little party either on Anna’s bday or another occasion, and make sure to make the house lively with Anna’s favorite music & treats. Young people need stimulation. Anna & her mom could include little notes with the invitations retelling a fun little memory that Anna had with them. This would not only help break the ice & help her friends feel more comfortable, but it would also show her friends that Anna is the same fun-loving Anna, just with a new normal.🌸
I would quite honestly rather be dead than have to life that kind of life wrought with loneliness and suffering. Anna must have an incredibly strong spirit to still be able to smile despite the terrible hand she has been delt by life. If that was me, l would have asked the doctors to let me die.
Be careful publicly saying things like that, a friends mum once told my mum she would kill herself if she had to be wheelchair bound (like my mother is) and I have never hated someone more. The thought of her saying that still fills me with disgust.
Iselca It's good that she still has her intellect and memories. It was probably really scary and hard the first year but now shes just enjoying the things in life we take for granted. She has a loving mother and she maybe has new friends. Shes probably not the only one who had this happen in the UK she can cope better when she connects with other survivors. I knew of another story a boy named Jack Jablonsky who can't walk anymore after an injury during a hockey game. But he's still positive and going to college now. His positivity always surprised and inspired me he has a supportive family too. No one's life is worthless or not worth living just because they are going through this hardship. Shes basically the same as us except she can't speak and she's paralyzed a bit but she can still communicate and understand things normally.
EatPlay Laugh I'm not saying her life is worth any less than anyone else's, I'm totally not saying that at all. In fact l have mad respect for her, because I'm saying l don't think l'd have the strength or volition left to go on after so much has been taken from me.
And I am saying that sometimes even if you have good intentions, and think you are complimenting someone, your words can be damaging. Regardless of your intentions, you are still saying, "if I was like you, I would kill myself".
Iselca Maybe the video made it seem scarier than it is. I don't think Anne is "locked in". There is a family who's daughter stopped growing at 6 years old and who's mind and body was like a baby she couldn't talk or walk properly. Maybe she was the one who was really "locked in" although I hate using that term or looking at it like that. Who knows how much she understood. she passed away in 2013 she had a loving family. or what about Lizzie Valezquez shes still alive born with a mutated gene which keeps her from gaining weight like everyone else so her appearance and diet is different but overall shes normal but she went through and still goes through a lot of bullying and rejection. People called her the ugliest woman (I don't agree) she has a loving family and she's so positive and accomplished a lot of her goals like finishing university and she wants to get married and try to have kids. I honesty think if you have a strong loving family you will probably be positive and more resilient if you have to deal with these things.
Sooooooo sad.....she is still such a beautiful young lady... My prayers r with u both....my heart goes out to the mother for all she sacrificed for the love of her daughter...Anna seems to b very happy n content...just seeing those 2 together u can see the unbreakable bond between mother n child...you'll b in my heart and prayers always
The hospital already admitted fault. That is pretty much a set win. A good lawyer should only get them more of a compensation. I feel so horrible for Anna. Money can't fix her :(
I can’t imagine how frustrating this is constantly. She has essentially had to grieve a death of sorts but one that is her own. She’s still so young. I hope she got the compensation and was able to get intense therapy to regain some speech.
Don't underestimate oxygen damage to the brain, she may improve a bit but the (speech) parts of her brain that were deprived of oxygen are dead now. We only get our brain once so we have to hope for the best and always be careful.
I was in a coma as well for a cardiac arrest last year. I sometimes wonder whether I have some damages. To this poor kid there is a clear and major difference between how she was and how she is now. They also made a mistake with me. Even before the hospital. The ambulance people stick a needle in my leg, they went all the way to the bone and that got infected. Now I have blood clothes in that leg and I have to take Bloodthinners for 2 years or longer. Buttttt....I still can walk and talk. I do forget a bit nowadays, maybe a bit more sensitive, I was (my brain) without oxygen for 45 minutes so, I consider it a minor changes to her.
I really hope that your bloodthinners will work and remove all the cloths! Cloths really suck and it's really something that also happens to the most healthy people, that's why I also always want to move regulary and drink a lot of water (that seems to help prevent cloth-formation). It's really good your brain remained so healthy though, a lot of people are unlucky and get largespread oxygen damage to critical brain-areas. Although, most people I know that have had bloodcloths have to take bloodthinners for the rest of their lives to reduce the risks. Ofcourse your accident wasn't related to your own body-regulations but to the needle they injected.
In the end she did get the money and moved into her own lovely house that also has the facilities she needs and is making great progress physically, defying a lot of people's expectations.
that’s not a tiny mistake at all. her whole life as she knew it was taken from her. it’s ridiculous how so many hospitals refuse to take responsibility for things like this.
If and hopefully when I become a surgeon, I swear I will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure things like this are properly done. It is stories like this that motivate me to want to go into that field. Bless you both a thousand times.
I just read an updated article from the guardian and it said that the White’s won their case...Anna has defied her doctors expectations for her recovery. Warms my heart that she can get some pieces of her old life back because of her determination ❤️
She's just beautiful. Her heart and her soul are beautiful, too. And what a wonderful mother. I'm not from the UK but I really hope the NHS has come through for her so that she has the best things available to her to help her have the brightest future ever.
She’s a beautiful girl! I’m sorry this happened to her and her family. They need to get her an electronic toothbrush for her teeth. I’m not sure if they’re damaged from the medications, but I hope they take care of her dental health soon.
Greg ! She has cavities on them, her mom does too. I’m trained in the dental field so by default I notice bad dental health. I only mentioned it because bad oral health is linked to heart disease and I think she already has enough to deal with at this time.
Heartbreaking 💔 so sad 😞 this young lady is entitled to every penny of that compensation to meet her care needs. The people responsible for this should be sacked.
"I would be living my life" that got to me so bad and I just feel so sorry for them, but especially for Ana because she is clearly very aware of what she's lost and that's truly tragic
Are there any updates on this story? This young woman's super spirit has inspired me to stop feeling so glum abt my life. the little things we take for granted, we should be thankful for.
What a beautiful stunning soul. I know a 6 minute interview doesn't tell the whole story, but I felt so touched and inspired to see two people who have gone through so much and yet she didn't stop smiling once. People who go through adversity and come out the other side positive and resilient give more back to society then they could ever know.
I hope you get everything you wish for sweetheart. You are beautiful and mom you are giving her all the love a mom can give. Stay strong. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm so sad at what happened to her but so happy she's still in there somewhere. How heartbreaking for her and her mom. I'm crying at how much the mom misses the daughter's voice.
She seems like such a bright and positive young lady and I would love to be her friend. I cannot understand why no one visited her during one of the most difficult times, yet she has somehow stayed so strong throughout everything. She seems like she is able to comprehend absolutely everything around her, yet she is unable to communicate... It's tragic.
That mom is like a text predictor on the phone. She really knows her daughter inside and out and loves her daughter so much. Thank goodness they have each other. I'm also glad that the hospital did take responsibility in the end. That is so rare.
Wow! This is so gut wrenching sad. My heart breaks for Anna and her mom. I wonder if The Guardian has any updates? I would love to know if they were compensated or at least able to get a computer voice gizmo for Anna and some well deserved respite for her mother.
British health care really needs to change. My grandfather was killed because of a stupid mistake a doctor made. And now my grandmother who fell and hurt her back at age 83 is being told she doesn't need a x-ray, despite telling them she can hardly walk because of the pain.
sophie m that's why I go private. Too many diseases and neglect in the NHS, partly because or too many people and unqualified staff. With private you have to pay but your life and health is worth more than all the money in the world
The huge price of a mistake and the "value" of friendship... these are two of the saddest things, I feel deeply sorry for her. Hope she will continue to smile.
So sad and terrifying, very touching how well Anna's mom can interpret what her daughter is trying to communicate. Still, so unfair that this close relationship is result of negligence.
As much I understand it can be hard to see your friend like that, it also shows how much of a friend they really are. Not even a card, flowers or anything??
Not changing a small thing as a cannula is just negligence. It almost cost her her life and even lost friends because of her mobility difficulties. Darn right their compensation is gonna be substantial.
That's not a tiny mistake...
You don't even wanna know how tiny mistakes have killed people. People sitting next to a child to give a flu shot can sometimes lead to putting there gloved hand or needle on a unclean surface. That leads to so many deaths it will make your head spin
The sterilized needle touches an unclean surface before it is used on the child. It has caused lots of deaths that why in some hospitals everything is so micromanaged which is good for the patient in a way but alienates the hospital workers
Them calling it a “tiny mistake” is their lame attempt to minimize legal liability. Shameful.
Mr Green No reputable doctor would do that. Except in emergency.
Yes, tiny mistakes can lead to huge consequences... but that was NOT a tiny mistake. There are strict regulations in place that prevent the slightes chances of this happening. Contamination is a HUGE thing in medical/medicinal industry and because of that, it is most likely a result of a large scale neglect. There simply is no room for this type of mistake and therefore the preventative measures wouldn't allow for it to happen easily.
everyone’s saying “at least she didn’t die” but she still lost the life she could’ve had and so much opportunity due to negligence from the hospital staff
Jack Jack I would rather die than living such a horrible life without doing anything, no voice, loneliness...
I would rather die also.
Jack Jack well effectively she *did* die, the girl she was before the operation has gone, never to return. It’s just tragic all round, her mother cant mourn for her daughter yet, she’s too busy taking care of her when they should both be enjoying life. Very sad. Very, very sad.
julie Wallis she's trapped alive is what they mean, and I agree with them this is a horrible fate
Being alive but not living is just existing
omg shes still smiling, bless her shes so strong.
SimplyGuided does she have problems with the muscles in her face. She seems to have the same expression(not to be rude. Just wondering)
holoCryBabyl-/ LitlBrownGirl Seems like it.
holoCryBabyl-/ LitlBrownGirl In some clips you can see her making a resting face and a sad face
@@missyw589 - I believe she is slightly brain damaged as well. The documentary said she has retained her intelligence, but I don't believe she is fully the same person she used to be. That may account for some of the peculiar expressions.
@@missyw589 I think she wants to show her mother how much she appreciates her by smiling often.
My God can someone please get her a "voice box" like Stephen Hawking had? She would at least have A voice then, and not have to "ask" to speak with the help of a board. Even that would give her a lot more power and agency back in her life. "I can't move, but I can bloody well speak whenever I wish."
the damages paid should include money for something like that
I image she cant speak anymore because of something in her brain and not because she doesnt have a tongue or something so i wonder if a voice box will work at all.
Edit: i assumed by foice box you meant a electrolarynx (i had to google that one first lol) so i could have assumed the wrong thing with my comment.
yentlcloud I'm assuming by voice box she means a computer she could use a eye gaze computer maybe
yentlcloud she does still have her intelligence though, so it could work.
Sarah Camley oh u thought she meant those things you have to push on your troart and then the computer talks for you.
It is slightly over two years since this was published. I hope she received compensation to at least help her and her mom get by. What a beautiful girl.
Moe Wilson ahaha, this 1 day old comment in the sea of 2 year old comments.
she has received compensation, she lives in a new house, she can speak , her mobility has improved but shes still in a wheelchair plus she looks much better - google search Anna White the guardian
White has begun to perform simple, everyday tasks such as brushing her teeth, combing her hair, eating and even putting on makeup. She can speak and stand for brief periods unaided, and is hopeful she may one day be able to walk again. - from The Guardian
anitcolor Thank you, I just watched the update, very happy for her and her mum:)
anitcolor my goodness that is incredible I'm so happy for them!!!!!
Not one person from the card has seen Anna since her surgery? Not ONE? That is what breaks my heart the most. The utter loneliness she must face day to day without her friends from before he surgery. It's just utterly heartbreaking... holding back tears. Her mother deserves an award for having the strength to fight this. Bless both of them.
Popular friends aren't real friends, they're just using each other to get higher up in society. I bet if she'd have had a quiet/nerdy friend that she'd at least visit once! Underdogs support each other while popular kids enjoy having less competition.
people get embarrassed around the disabled and/or terminally ill. I've had two terminally ill people in my family, one took 10 years to die and the other one horrible, hellish year. All you can think is that you hope your family member dies soon so they can be released from their suffering but also so YOU can be released from their suffering. And you don't know how to feel about yourself for thinking that.
That's how it is. I had a bunch of "friends" , then I started having mental illness problems and needed meds. When my "friends" found out I couldn't drink anymore and took meds , boom. Gone. Noone ever came to visit me or ask me how I was when I was in hospital or bedbound. Exept my parents. Parents really are the best ..no matter what happens to you, they'll still stick with you. Even today, those people don't care a dime about me. But my parents still do. All love to Mum and Dad , and this mother here reminds me of my own. Bless xx
+Pandora yeah. parents, although not all parents are the ones who can unconditionally love their children and that is what makes this particular relationship so special. as such, so special to not lose. i will never forget the day it was my birthday during my junior year in high school and i came home from school, bummed out that barely anybody said happy birthday to me or noticed. my waking hours during the week were always when my mom would be working or sleeping, the only real time i got to talk or see her was on the weekends. there, i can't remember too clearly but i believe it could have been a card accompanied with ? snacks with "happy birthday, ______! mommy loves you." and that reduced me to tears in the realization that it doesn't matter what certain "friends" in high school do, it's your parent/(s) who can suffice.
Those people were just "obligated" so write a message on the card. That's probably all there was.
I hope she gets compensation. One can see how well she is cared for and how neglected the mum looks. One only has to look at them to see the mum gives her everything. Often the carers are overlooked. I hope they get compensation so that they can get another carer in (as well as more equipment). The mother deserves to have a little time to herself too.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I am also a carer and will definitely look into this buddy network concept in our country. :)
I wish I could say I surprised by the girls friends abandoning her, but I’m really not. I’ve seen it happen to so many people. It’s sickening, but the average person doesn’t want a sick/disabled friend. And before anyone reading this starts into their self-righteous thoughts of “but I’m not like that!”, I ask you to please take a look at your friends. How many of them are disabled? How many of them have constant doctors visits and hospital stays? How many of them need mobility devices to get around? I’m going to guess the answer is zero, because it usually is.
To make the situation even harder for disabled people (a group I belong to), many of us don’t work so we don’t meet people the way other people do. That makes both friendships and dating really hard.
Cassie C I've have a lot of friends with mental illnesses and disabilities but I haven't meet anyone with physical ones yet.
I do have a lot of friends who are terminally ill, because I have a chronic disease myself. Although I do have friends who have partial disabilities due to stroke/bone cancer, and I have noticed through them, how difficult it is to go out and live life. Most shopping malls, schools, uni or public areas in general don't have facilities that would allow people on crutches or wheelchairs to move around comfortably. I can only imagine how hard it would be if a person was paralyzed like this to go out and have a social life.
Cassie C True.
My best friend is disabled though, and I'm a carer for my mother.
But you're right, people go away.
Cassie C Being a carer has the same consequences. I can't meet anybody and I don't make friends.
I do look on the bright side though.
Cassie C I'm exactly like that. I still feel bad for her, but carrying around negative energy? Shes not the same girl she was!
I hope she gets equipment that enables her to talk
God bless her. I hope she gets the compensation.
She did get it. She's also learning how to walk and talk now. Saw an updated video from 2018 on the Guardian website.
Link please :)
there is NO god
The updated video is here on RUclips too if you search Anna white the guardian :) lovely to see
The tears stains on the card fucked me up 💔
Heartbreaking. that none of her friends from old days visited her...maybe because they [being young] just cannot have the emotional strength to see their contemporary like this? just so tragic...what was the anaesthetic? unbelievable that such a basic error was done. Not to remove a drug contaminated line... shocking.
Oakleaf700 my sister did 💖💖
I don't think those are tear stains, just dirt and fingerprints
Get Momma some help with taking care of her gorgeous daughter. 💕
Its amazing how anna manages to smile through it all
All the best to this young lady. Such a pity.
Hoping David Beckham somehow gets to hear of this story and does something nice for her.
Jonathan B I would really love to see that too!!!
They’re calling it a “tiny mistake” to minimize their own liability. Tiny mistake = tiny compensation. It’s disgraceful.
Someone should buy her a voice computer
Oh darlin'.
Bless you both x
as someone who became disabled in my first year of high school, her story in losing her friends and what her life once was post disability causing injury is so relatable to me it hurts, i have get well messages from friends still as well, all of whom left because my disability slowed me down.
Highschool is when teens start to realise that life (as our society wants it) is a competition to be the most succesful. Teens are often heartless because they usually don't have the experiences in life to be empathetic, they only want to know how to be cool or get good grades.
It's good they at least cared at first though.
L5940 exept thats not what life is it is so much more. i pity anyone who thinks life is at all just a competition. sucess and happiness arent one and the same. i am disabled, i cant work. and i can still live a very happy life. i had to learn this lesson in high school. that my life wasnt over just because of this.
Of course disabled people have valid lives but those highschool teens are shooting for the stars, trying to become models/businessmen/doctors ect.. They do also realise that they have to enjoy life but they do this by drinking to meet partners and partying.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of them fail and become depressed seeing their friends succeed more. I know that life is more but some of these teens have been taught these lessons since childhood by their parents.
Life can really be a drag sometimes when you're forced to participate in the competition for meaningless succes that'll eventually lead to more money and luxery if you're lucky. But it's the way that society works, not very fun. So just be happy with who you are and think of many ways to enjoy life in your own way.
Often, kids don’t know how to relate to someone with issues. They feel awkward and don’t know what to say. Especially when there’s brain and voice issues. Many adults don’t know how to deal with this stuff, either!
Never visiting an old friend even once is one big step beyond just feeling awkward. They only cared about having fun, not about her as a person unfortunately. It's not a rare thing in our first world society though.
OMG what is wrong with nurses these days? I'm a nurse and I would never ever ever even touch a patient before washing my hands, let alone sticking things in someone's veins without making sure their sterile. This is incredibly negligent.
Right, I thought they never reused IV tubes...
It wasn't a sterility issue.
They hadn't flushed out the anesthetic.
This is very sad. But it's great that the NHS is a public entity that is able to admit when it's wrong. The hospitals in America would fight tooth and nail to avoid the costs. I wouldn't mind paying more tax so people like this could get the compensation they deserve. And if you don't agree you're a selfish prick.
knucklesamidge But American Medical hospitals do take responsibility.. Idiot!
R.C West you would be suprised at how hospitals go to lengths to avoid compensating people. They only do when they are at the dead end.
YifeiLIM91 - I actually know a girl who briefly held the record for the largest sum awarded in a medical malpractice trial. Lawyers from all 50 states flew in for the final verdict and it had to be moved to a larger venue.
Obviously, the mistake in question was catastrophic. A doctor teamed up with a medical testing manufacturer to lie to cover up faulty equipment. They then lied to an ER to get the ER to the patient away unseen, to try to hide their lies. A baby went from a bright future to being told the best thing would be to give her morphine while her mom held her while she died. The mom demanded they at least try to save her baby. The end result is a child who is mildly-to-moderately developmentally delayed but locked in even more than the girl shown. She has extreme medical issues and is now on hospice in her final days of life, at only 25 years old.
The hospital that turned them away settled quickly, practically yelling, “please take our money!” They knew what they did was horribly wrong.
The device manufacturer took some detective work to uncover the depth of their lies, but once the truth came out, they knew better than go to court and they too settled.
The doctor, though, tried to fight it. This resulted in a massive court case. The doctor lost and the award was massive. The doctor then agreed to a settlement that was less than the declared winnings and finally paid up. (In the US, an award like that is always hotly contested, meaning the families can go years, even decades, without seeing a penny. So people who lose badly will often offer to settle for a smaller sum in order to avoid the massive legal fees that would be caused by multiple appeals.)
R.C West - I’m laughing so hard I can barely breath. No, no American hospitals do NOT admit fault. For one thing, admitting fault can result in hemorrhaging money. A judge sees an admission of a mistake and awards the patient huge bucks in court. And then there’s the fact that American hospitals have gotten used to being allowed to be unrepentant assholes. The hospital chain I’m surrounded by won’t take any feedback calls unless you’re calling to shower them in praises. If anything went wrong, they’ll hang up on you.
TAXATION IS THEFT.
THE NHS IS SOCIALIST.
Those nurses must feel horrible about themselves
Diane Smith No, nurses or CNAs would be in charge of cleaning
To be honest, I don't think they are. If they would, they would have never used a dirty thingy
There is a specialist job in NHS hospitals that the role of which is simply to clean and sterilize used equipment. I know because a friend does it but I can't for the life of me think what it is called.
Rnx X That's why it's called a mistake. It wasn't deliberate, someone forgot sth. They will feel terrible about themselves for sure.
They *should* feel horrible, imagine your own child having to go through this because some nurses forgot a part of the standard procedure. Hospital staff gets payed to get it right, to make people better instead of worse.
I hope they found out who was responsible and fired them, if you can't follow standard procedure than nursing shouldn't be your job.
Her smile is beautiful. They need the money. The mother had to stop working. She need help doing that 24hrs a day alone is hard.
Omg. Something as simple as making sure ALL of the equipment is clean prior to a surgery is what fucked up her life. Insane. I send positivity their way. Anna's smile is incredible to see. Thank heavens she has such a wonderful mother.
Everything was clean prior to surgery that wasn't the problem. What they mean is the nurse did not flush out the medication in the IV cannula after surgery, therfore left over medication was administered
I just watched an update and this amazing girl is 21 now and is starting to talk again and undertaking rehab to walk again! So inspirational! She got her compensation as well, so they have been able to get her the best assisted living devices to help with her recovery ❤️
Thank you! That's great !
Pressure leads to mistakes, mistakes lead to further pressure and scrutiny. The NHS needs help.
+Em .Blackburn Er ? Junior Doctors are going on strike over pay and conditions, Your right working 60 plus hours a week will lead to mistakes, But the first mistake is allowing them to do so, A Doctor called in for a twelve hour emergency shift can charge the NHS near a grand for a days work, No wonder they put in twelve hour shifts early in the week, They want their bonus pay, Notice the surgery hours are still Victorian era though, There`s not a business structure on the planet who would not regulate the shift patterns to avoid that position, If you want to help support the NHS Way into the future, The system cannot be allowed by any group to be extorted for their own ends over the medical service itself
xmoroseguyx I can agree with that, but those would be some pretty hard reforms to make. Wish we had a competent Health Secretary or something outlandish like that.
This was most certainly NOT a tiny mistake. Is it common to give patients medication thru used/dirty equipment? Surely not! So this was a huge mistake and had catastrophic results for this young lady and her family.
Anna is such a sweat child that smile is and why have her friends not seen her?! That's completely sad. I wish I wish one at least would come to see Anna tears tears :(
uKnow - most people who become disabled are abandoned by their friends sooner or later. It’s an incredibly well known phenomenon in the disabled community. Even people who become paralyzed or have an amputation but then lead an incredibly normal and healthy life afterwards face this issue. For people with major ongoing problems who are constantly in and out of doctors offices and hospitals, friendships are often a thing of the past.
Didn't they say they lived far away from them? It might be harder for friends to visit due to them moving away or some type of inconvenience like that. They may not have abandoned her. I'm just saying it may not be entirely intentional for all of her friends.
C really? Are you disabled? no offense with that ? I am curious. I never knew it was a "phenomenon". I just thought it is normal for one to stick around a friend that went through such a thing like this, I mean it is harder to stick around I guess in reality because of effort in the knew mental or physical state, I am not sure so was surprised to hear that no one came to visit her after writing sweat notes surly I thought 2 at least would come to visit with her. Shame real shame I feel in my heart.
Her popular healthy friends are young adults now, they would probably feel uncomfortable seeing her as they don't like to be confronted with disability at their age. I know it's horrible of them but they're putting their own selfish needs for no confrontation above her social needs, they were probably not very nice empathic people to begin with.
Anna is so so cute. I love how her mother has kept her hair long, much harder to maintain but a real mood-lifter for Anna. Since Anna’s friends are still young, like her, they’re most likely struggling with what to say, what to talk about, afraid they’ll say the wrong thing, how to communicate, etc. Then when you add major guilt to the mix for not visiting, they’re in a real quandary. Plus, can they ever share what’s happening in their lives too?? Of course!! Anna’s mom needs to help them realize that it would bring joy to Anna to hear all about their lives as well. Please take a different approach & help Anna understand that her friends mean no harm. Maybe Anna & her mom could invite them to the house for a little party either on Anna’s bday or another occasion, and make sure to make the house lively with Anna’s favorite music & treats. Young people need stimulation. Anna & her mom could include little notes with the invitations retelling a fun little memory that Anna had with them. This would not only help break the ice & help her friends feel more comfortable, but it would also show her friends that Anna is the same fun-loving Anna, just with a new normal.🌸
I would quite honestly rather be dead than have to life that kind of life wrought with loneliness and suffering. Anna must have an incredibly strong spirit to still be able to smile despite the terrible hand she has been delt by life. If that was me, l would have asked the doctors to let me die.
Be careful publicly saying things like that, a friends mum once told my mum she would kill herself if she had to be wheelchair bound (like my mother is) and I have never hated someone more. The thought of her saying that still fills me with disgust.
Iselca
It's good that she still has her intellect and memories. It was probably really scary and hard the first year but now shes just enjoying the things in life we take for granted. She has a loving mother and she maybe has new friends. Shes probably not the only one who had this happen in the UK she can cope better when she connects with other survivors. I knew of another story a boy named Jack Jablonsky who can't walk anymore after an injury during a hockey game. But he's still positive and going to college now. His positivity always surprised and inspired me he has a supportive family too. No one's life is worthless or not worth living just because they are going through this hardship. Shes basically the same as us except she can't speak and she's paralyzed a bit but she can still communicate and understand things normally.
EatPlay Laugh I'm not saying her life is worth any less than anyone else's, I'm totally not saying that at all. In fact l have mad respect for her, because I'm saying l don't think l'd have the strength or volition left to go on after so much has been taken from me.
And I am saying that sometimes even if you have good intentions, and think you are complimenting someone, your words can be damaging.
Regardless of your intentions, you are still saying, "if I was like you, I would kill myself".
Iselca Maybe the video made it seem scarier than it is. I don't think Anne is "locked in".
There is a family who's daughter stopped growing at 6 years old and who's mind and body was like a baby she couldn't talk or walk properly.
Maybe she was the one who was really "locked in" although I hate using that term or looking at it like that. Who knows how much she understood.
she passed away in 2013
she had a loving family.
or what about Lizzie Valezquez
shes still alive
born with a mutated gene which keeps her from gaining weight like everyone else so her appearance and diet is different but overall shes normal but she went through and still goes through a lot of bullying and rejection. People called her the ugliest woman (I don't agree) she has a loving family and she's so positive and accomplished a lot of her goals like finishing university and she wants to get married and try to have kids.
I honesty think if you have a strong loving family you will probably be positive and more resilient if you have to deal with these things.
Sooooooo sad.....she is still such a beautiful young lady... My prayers r with u both....my heart goes out to the mother for all she sacrificed for the love of her daughter...Anna seems to b very happy n content...just seeing those 2 together u can see the unbreakable bond between mother n child...you'll b in my heart and prayers always
Not a tiny mistake. Possible criminal charges & a 10 million payout.
I hope the family has a good lawyer
The hospital already admitted fault. That is pretty much a set win. A good lawyer should only get them more of a compensation. I feel so horrible for Anna. Money can't fix her :(
I hope they help them
Financially for the rest of her life
I can’t imagine how frustrating this is constantly. She has essentially had to grieve a death of sorts but one that is her own. She’s still so young. I hope she got the compensation and was able to get intense therapy to regain some speech.
The brain is so elastic, especially at that age, it seems like intense therapy and rehab should be able to give her back somethings.
Don't underestimate oxygen damage to the brain, she may improve a bit but the (speech) parts of her brain that were deprived of oxygen are dead now. We only get our brain once so we have to hope for the best and always be careful.
I was in a coma as well for a cardiac arrest last year. I sometimes wonder whether I have some damages. To this poor kid there is a clear and major difference between how she was and how she is now. They also made a mistake with me. Even before the hospital. The ambulance people stick a needle in my leg, they went all the way to the bone and that got infected. Now I have blood clothes in that leg and I have to take Bloodthinners for 2 years or longer. Buttttt....I still can walk and talk. I do forget a bit nowadays, maybe a bit more sensitive, I was (my brain) without oxygen for 45 minutes so, I consider it a minor changes to her.
I really hope that your bloodthinners will work and remove all the cloths! Cloths really suck and it's really something that also happens to the most healthy people, that's why I also always want to move regulary and drink a lot of water (that seems to help prevent cloth-formation).
It's really good your brain remained so healthy though, a lot of people are unlucky and get largespread oxygen damage to critical brain-areas.
Although, most people I know that have had bloodcloths have to take bloodthinners for the rest of their lives to reduce the risks. Ofcourse your accident wasn't related to your own body-regulations but to the needle they injected.
They did! She’s now capable of speaking and has some control over her legs and arms! She still needs help walking but she’s improved greatly
The fear of that mother to die must be unbearable. Not for her but because of her precious daughter. Love is real.
Some follow-up please! Did the family get the well-deserved compensation from the NHS ?
sophia mac tried googling it and there was nothing
2007rina Pity... thanks so much for the effort!
In the end she did get the money and moved into her own lovely house that also has the facilities she needs and is making great progress physically, defying a lot of people's expectations.
Floral Lucy that is amazing to know I'm so happy for her ❤❤
Floral Lucy Finally some justice!
At least they admit their mistake in England. In the States they'd deny any responsibility and you'd have to take them to court and prove the damages.
She is so strong. This breaks my heart.
that’s not a tiny mistake at all. her whole life as she knew it was taken from her. it’s ridiculous how so many hospitals refuse to take responsibility for things like this.
If and hopefully when I become a surgeon, I swear I will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure things like this are properly done. It is stories like this that motivate me to want to go into that field. Bless you both a thousand times.
Except it wasn't the surgeon's fault, it was the nurse's.
Wtf. Whoever controlled the surgery needs prison, they nearly killed this girl
This girl is so strong. Hugs to her and her mother
I just read an updated article from the guardian and it said that the White’s won their case...Anna has defied her doctors expectations for her recovery. Warms my heart that she can get some pieces of her old life back because of her determination ❤️
Wow😢 God bless her mum to keep caring for her
That is just so sad.
She's just beautiful. Her heart and her soul are beautiful, too. And what a wonderful mother. I'm not from the UK but I really hope the NHS has come through for her so that she has the best things available to her to help her have the brightest future ever.
All because someone didn’t do their job & properly clean the equipment
Anna is amazing! She’s been through so much and has come out smiling and that shows how brave she is x
What tiny mistake it was no mistake it was negligence from the hospital why aren't they in jailllll
She’s a beautiful girl! I’m sorry this happened to her and her family. They need to get her an electronic toothbrush for her teeth. I’m not sure if they’re damaged from the medications, but I hope they take care of her dental health soon.
Greg ! They’re brown and thinning x
Greg ! She has cavities on them, her mom does too. I’m trained in the dental field so by default I notice bad dental health. I only mentioned it because bad oral health is linked to heart disease and I think she already has enough to deal with at this time.
Bella Donna what are you talk about ffs
Heartbreaking 💔 so sad 😞 this young lady is entitled to every penny of that compensation to meet her care needs. The people responsible for this should be sacked.
Yep 👍
Her hair is super cool
I'm glad at least she can smile and try to say yes... Bless
O hope they were properly compensated- not that anything can ever make it up. Very sad 😢 Bless her and admire her for her strength.
When she looks at her mother, there's pure love, she's just beautiful
My prayers are with this family. Anna deserves so much more.
"I would be living my life" that got to me so bad and I just feel so sorry for them, but especially for Ana because she is clearly very aware of what she's lost and that's truly tragic
This is so sad...I had my appendix taken out in my teens and I just think how this could have happened to me. I wish her the best.
Are there any updates on this story? This young woman's super spirit has inspired me to stop feeling so glum abt my life. the little things we take for granted, we should be thankful for.
Omg! How heartbreaking! 😭😩
I hope new people find their way into their lives. Just a friend would be such a blessing.
I know very little about this but I really hope they get some equipment to help Anna speak. I can’t imagine what it’s like for her.
This is so sad!!! I had no idea that could ever happen!!! Wow!!! And after 4 years no compensation??? And how do you trust doctors again???
Im so glad they figured out she's still in there.
What a beautiful stunning soul. I know a 6 minute interview doesn't tell the whole story, but I felt so touched and inspired to see two people who have gone through so much and yet she didn't stop smiling once. People who go through adversity and come out the other side positive and resilient give more back to society then they could ever know.
This breaks my heart!!!!! Prayers for both of you
I hope you get everything you wish for sweetheart. You are beautiful and mom you are giving her all the love a mom can give. Stay strong. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm so sad at what happened to her but so happy she's still in there somewhere. How heartbreaking for her and her mom. I'm crying at how much the mom misses the daughter's voice.
She seems like such a bright and positive young lady and I would love to be her friend. I cannot understand why no one visited her during one of the most difficult times, yet she has somehow stayed so strong throughout everything. She seems like she is able to comprehend absolutely everything around her, yet she is unable to communicate... It's tragic.
That mom is like a text predictor on the phone. She really knows her daughter inside and out and loves her daughter so much. Thank goodness they have each other. I'm also glad that the hospital did take responsibility in the end. That is so rare.
ANNA IS NOW STANDING AND TALKING!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSS wish her nothing but the best and continue recovery.
Wow! This is so gut wrenching sad. My heart breaks for Anna and her mom. I wonder if The Guardian has any updates? I would love to know if they were compensated or at least able to get a computer voice gizmo for Anna and some well deserved respite for her mother.
KEEP GOING YOU ARE A FIGHTER !!!
The room is very pretty, that's helpful emotionally. So sorry for your injuries... I hope your feeling better now.
I can’t believe how tragic and I can’t believe her friends from school didn’t even visit her not even once!
This is heartbreaking. I hope that by some miracle she improves.
I wish Ana & her mom the very best
She seems so sweet too, I feel so sorry and angry for them.
Nothing is ever as bad and as heartbreaking as this xo
I actually teared up at the tear stains on the get well soon card. Anna you are amazing and never forget it
So glad to hear she is doing better now. Such a beautiful girl
British health care really needs to change. My grandfather was killed because of a stupid mistake a doctor made. And now my grandmother who fell and hurt her back at age 83 is being told she doesn't need a x-ray, despite telling them she can hardly walk because of the pain.
sophie m that's why I go private. Too many diseases and neglect in the NHS, partly because or too many people and unqualified staff. With private you have to pay but your life and health is worth more than all the money in the world
its nice that anna still smiles a lot though
i really hope they get lots of compensation if that's all that could be done to help these two
The huge price of a mistake and the "value" of friendship... these are two of the saddest things, I feel deeply sorry for her. Hope she will continue to smile.
This is heartbreaking.
So sad and terrifying, very touching how well Anna's mom can interpret what her daughter is trying to communicate. Still, so unfair that this close relationship is result of negligence.
My heart goes out to her. I feel for her mum too. But they took so much from her by this careless act.
That isn’t a tiny mistake. Any decent nurse would have checked the line first.
As much I understand it can be hard to see your friend like that, it also shows how much of a friend they really are. Not even a card, flowers or anything??
This is sooo sad, my sister just had her appendix out and this is just scary 😔
After all that’s happened it’s nice to her smiling and she’s not gave up. Well done Dona keep your bright personality shining through all.
that is heartbreaking.
Oh God,please heal her
God bless her and her mother for being able to stay strong through this tragedy. This should never EVER happen to anyone...
so tragic. im 19 also and couldn't imagine being in a situation like this..
This is so heart breaking...
Poor girl. Bless them both.
im crying becuse of this.. this isnt a tiny mistake.
It's so inspirational to see how happy she is
Not changing a small thing as a cannula is just negligence. It almost cost her her life and even lost friends because of her mobility difficulties. Darn right their compensation is gonna be substantial.