{"id":1224,"date":"2025-05-20T16:16:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T23:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=1224"},"modified":"2025-05-20T16:16:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T23:16:42","slug":"teacher-paralysed-by-brain-bleed-travels-overseas-after-nightmare-nhs-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=1224","title":{"rendered":"Teacher paralysed by brain bleed travels overseas after \u2018nightmare\u2019 NHS treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-10wlkbs-0\" data-component=\"SupportNSCNative\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"base\">\n<aside class=\"sc-hez36s-0 cGmNxG\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-1 iqSitv\">\n<h3 data-testid=\"support-nsc-title\" class=\"sc-hez36s-2 dlmCG\">Your support helps us to tell the story<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-8 igdyzJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-13 cPkZJS\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-0 fGzMFb sc-hez36s-16 fJelbS\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-6 fiXggt\">\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content-container\" class=\"sc-aja53j-5 eSVQSf\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content\" class=\"sc-aja53j-4 cDGSNR\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"support-nsc-collapsed-content-tablet\" class=\"sc-hez36s-7 kxbAkl\">\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 kGYWZt\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 kGYWZt\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 kGYWZt\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"sc-1uza6dc-1 eXohla\">Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"sc-aja53j-1 hHATii sc-aja53j-7 jikgMc\"><span data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-dropdown-tablet\" class=\"sc-aja53j-3 gFogGN\"><span data-action-type=\"Read more\" class=\"sc-aja53j-2 frlkrE\">Read more<\/span><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 gggykT sc-culv3z-0 jLhHRc sc-a5wy94-0 lbKISR\"><use href=\"#ee6613da15642019\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A London teacher left unable to walk or talk after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage has been driven over 1,000 miles to Hungary for specialist treatment following what her family describe as a &#8220;nightmare&#8221; experience with the NHS.<\/p>\n<p>Anna Chithrakala, a 45-year-old English teacher and palliative carer, collapsed while on a walk in December, losing her ability to speak. Rushed to hospital, she underwent six hours of brain surgery for a major bleed and was diagnosed with a stroke. The stroke left her unable to walk, talk, or move the right side of her body.<\/p>\n<p>During her recovery, Anna was transferred to University Hospital Lewisham. Her time there, however, was marred by what she alleges were &#8220;bullying nurses&#8221; and &#8220;noisy wards&#8221; in an experience she describes as a &#8220;nightmare,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Determined to see her daughter regain her mobility and speech, Anna\u2019s mother, 69-year-old Piroska Markus, discovered a rehabilitation programme at a hospital in her native Hungary. The family then decided to drive Anna the 1,100-mile journey from London in February, a trip that took two-and-a-half days.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-482ou5-2 hCNBSR sc-482ou5-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 hXrpsW\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-482ou5-0 iZkYUL\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/48\/Anna-with-her-mother.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/48\/Anna-with-her-mother.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;trim=66%2C0%2C67%2C0&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/48\/Anna-with-her-mother.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;trim=66%2C0%2C67%2C0&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anna with her mother\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 fsbheq inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-45635\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 jEeRhv\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 kBlcBC kIlksO\">Anna with her mother<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 hAhJPR\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Collect\/PA Real Life<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Anna is now undergoing intensive rehabilitation at a cost of \u00a3500 per week, much less than the price quoted for private treatment in the UK. The therapy is showing positive results, with Anna regaining some ability to walk and talk after initially being unable even to blink.<\/p>\n<p>However, the family&#8217;s funds are dwindling and are expected to run out by 2 June. They have launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to allow Anna to continue her recovery in Hungary.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love it here,\u201d Anna said, speaking from the hospital in Hungary with the help of her mum and 40-year-old brother Senthil Seveelavanan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis hospital makes a difference to my recovery as everyone is optimistic and everything is about being active.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn Lewisham, everything was pessimistic, nurses were bullying patients and the wards were very noisy with people mostly remaining in bed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI tried to climb out of the bed and escape the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Before her stroke, Anna was freelancing as an English teacher and a live-in palliative carer while studying to be a complementary medicine practitioner.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-482ou5-2 hCNBSR sc-482ou5-3 image align-right\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 hXrpsW\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-482ou5-0 ljgJsO\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/50\/Anna-suddenly-collapsed-while-out-on-a-walk.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/50\/Anna-suddenly-collapsed-while-out-on-a-walk.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;trim=55%2C0%2C163%2C0&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/50\/Anna-suddenly-collapsed-while-out-on-a-walk.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;trim=55%2C0%2C163%2C0&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anna suddenly collapsed while out on a walk\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 fsbheq inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-45636\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 jEeRhv\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 kBlcBC kIlksO\">Anna suddenly collapsed while out on a walk<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 hAhJPR\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Collect\/PA Real Life<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>On December 21 2024, she was on a walk with her care patient and a friend when she suddenly lost the ability to speak, before collapsing, with no prior symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Her family said the ambulance took 35 minutes to arrive and was then delayed in setting off to the hospital due to difficulties administering her.<\/p>\n<p>It then took five hours to get her into surgery for a brain bleed at Bristol Southmead Hospital, after surgeons were unable to treat her at a smaller hospital.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom her collapse, it took five-and-a-half hours to get her into surgery at the right hospital,\u201d Senthil said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis was partly due to ambulance staff having to register her before rushing her to the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was just complete inefficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Anna had two surgeries on her brain and was placed in an induced coma.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe was between life and death for several weeks,\u201d her mother Piroska said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-482ou5-2 hCNBSR sc-482ou5-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 hXrpsW\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-482ou5-0 hqAQrN\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/21\/Anna-and-her-family-leaving-London.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/21\/Anna-and-her-family-leaving-London.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;trim=325%2C0%2C0%2C0&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/21\/Anna-and-her-family-leaving-London.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;trim=325%2C0%2C0%2C0&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anna and her family leaving London\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 fsbheq inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-45637\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 jEeRhv\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 kBlcBC kIlksO\">Anna and her family leaving London<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 hAhJPR\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Collect\/PA Real Life<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Six weeks later, Anna was moved to University Hospital Lewisham\u2019s stroke ward to be closer to her family \u2013 including her younger brother, Ruben Seveelaventhen, 38, from London.<\/p>\n<p>But she claimed nurses were \u201cbullying\u201d patients on the \u201cvery noisy\u201d wards at the hospital, describing how one practitioner seemed to \u201cmock\u201d her condition.<\/p>\n<p>Anna added: \u201cOn my first night in Lewisham, a nurse said to me \u2018what is a stroke?\u2019 in a mocking way and I wasn\u2019t able to speak to stand up for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In mid-February, doctors recommended for Anna to be discharged from hospital.<\/p>\n<p>However as an NHS outpatient, she would only be entitled to two-and-a-half hours of rehabilitation per week for up to one month after leaving the ward.<\/p>\n<p>Fearing Anna would not have the tools to recover, her family found alternative treatment at the National Medical Rehabilitation Centre Budakeszi, offering all-inclusive therapy and board \u2013 for which they were quoted around \u00a35,000 from private UK providers.<\/p>\n<p>The programme is free for Hungarian citizens but costs Anna \u00a3500 per week as an overseas patient.<\/p>\n<p>On February 25, they drove two-and-a-half days to Hungary where Anna is now enrolled in the programme.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-482ou5-2 hCNBSR sc-482ou5-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 hXrpsW\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-482ou5-0 hqAQrN\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/47\/Anna-on-the-balcony-of-her-room-at-the-rehabilitation-hospital-in-Hungary.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/47\/Anna-on-the-balcony-of-her-room-at-the-rehabilitation-hospital-in-Hungary.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;trim=0%2C0%2C325%2C0&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/20\/12\/47\/Anna-on-the-balcony-of-her-room-at-the-rehabilitation-hospital-in-Hungary.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;trim=0%2C0%2C325%2C0&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anna on the balcony of her room at the rehabilitation hospital in Hungary\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 fsbheq inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-45638\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 jEeRhv\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 kBlcBC kIlksO\">Anna on the balcony of her room at the rehabilitation hospital in Hungary<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 hAhJPR\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Collect\/PA Real Life<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>There, she has weekly access to physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, water therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, including cooking skills, and robotics therapy to stimulate her right arm and leg.<\/p>\n<p>She also has a weekly counselling session with a therapist at the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>Piroska said: \u201cI knew that rehabilitation is a strong part of the culture here and the philosophy of rehab is different.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe machinery is all around so patients can use it whenever they like.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna shares a room with only one other person and they have their own balcony overlooking a forest and a bathroom adapted to their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Anna\u2019s right hand and foot remains paralysed but she is able to walk with significant effort.<\/p>\n<p>She is also regaining her speech, speaking in broken sentences, and slowly recovering her cognitive abilities.<\/p>\n<p>A Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust spokesperson said: \u201cWe are very sorry to hear about Ms Chithrakala\u2019s experience with us and would encourage her and her family to contact us directly so that we can open a formal investigation into their concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe wish Ms Chithrakala well with her continued recovery and hope that she is able to return home soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To find out more, visit Anna\u2019s fundraiser here: gofundme.com\/f\/anna-neuro-rehabilitation-fund<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more A London teacher left unable to walk or talk after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage has been driven over 1,000 miles to Hungary for specialist treatment following what her family describe as a &#8220;nightmare&#8221; experience with the NHS. Anna Chithrakala, a 45-year-old English teacher and palliative carer, collapsed while on a walk in December, losing her ability to speak. Rushed to hospital, she underwent six hours of brain surgery for a major bleed and was diagnosed with a stroke. The stroke left her unable to walk, talk, or move the right side of her body. During her recovery, Anna was transferred to University Hospital Lewisham. Her time there, however, was marred by what she alleges were &#8220;bullying nurses&#8221; and &#8220;noisy wards&#8221; in an experience she describes as a &#8220;nightmare,&#8221; Determined to see her daughter regain her mobility and speech, Anna\u2019s mother, 69-year-old Piroska Markus, discovered a rehabilitation programme at a hospital in her native Hungary. The family then deci&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1224"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1224\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}