Model and artist from Essex suffered from a seizure last year, resulting in severe head injuries and the need for a titanium 3D printed plate.

Francesca Burr is an artist, life model, and “tattoodler” from Essex. The 28-year-old has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) which, last year, caused her to have a seizure and lose balance.

After falling down the stairs, Burr was left with a hole in her head. She explains that her mum and step-dad came from home a meal to find her blocking the front door, in a pool of her own blood, and her dog frantically barking.

Burr was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge in November last year. Her skull was fractured in five places and she had a cracked jaw and broken nose. She was put into an induced coma and, when she was woken up, could not remember her boyfriend or her middle name.

Burr also underwent a seven hour operation as surgeons needed to remove the parts of the skull which had broken into her brain. During this time, Burr’s family were preparing for the worst.

Thankfully, Burr recovered and, ten months later, she now has a 3D printed skull. Surgeons operated and fitted the titanium skull plate in February. Burr said:

“They got a 3D printer to create a titanium plate to fit in my head – I mean, that’s some real James Bond s***. I was amazed when they told me that… I actually met the neurosurgeon who did a few weeks ago and he shook my hand – what a good bloke, he shook my hand. Can you believe that? He saved my life and then he shook my hand.”

Thanks to Titanium 3D Printed Plate, Burr Rebuilds Her Life

Burr is now rebuilding her life after the operation. However, she believes she “won’t ever be the same” because her brain has had to change.

Burr’s head is now held together with metal pins. And she can only go outside if she doesn’t feel too dizzy. She also adds that she struggles to watch TV as she has problems with memory and retention, making remembering plots difficult.

However, Burr has the support of her family and friends and is getting help from mental health professionals. As well as this, she is determined to go back to work and put her life back on track. She adds:

“Because my hair has grown back you can’t notice the hole as much and I’ve even been out for a few beers in the last couple of weeks – which is nice. I’ve also just started seeing someone. I actually met him in hospital – he thought he had a hernia. He’s a good guy but it’s early days.”

You can follow Burr’s Instagram here to see some of her beautiful artwork or to send her well wishes.

Source: Mirror