A 36-year-old mother from the UK experienced a bizarre mishap after yawning, resulting in life-threatening injuries.
Hayley Black was caring for her baby daughter, Amelia, when both mother and child yawned. But what began as a normal stretch turned into a medical emergency. Hayley felt an “electric shock sensation” in her arm and could no longer move it. Her husband, Ian, called an ambulance, and she was rushed to Milton Keynes Hospital.
Initial scans did not reveal the full extent of the injury. Doctors discovered that Hayley’s C6 and C7 vertebrae had snapped forward, a rare consequence triggered by the force of a yawn. Surgeons described the case as a bizarre mishap, highlighting its extreme rarity.
Emergency surgery saved her life. Two discs were removed from her neck, leaving permanent nerve damage and a tracheal scar. Hayley spent six months in a wheelchair and had to relearn walking. She now lives with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition causing ongoing pain.
“It’s scary. A yawn nearly cost me everything,” Hayley said, explaining that she still feels pain down her arms and neck whenever she misses medication. The bizarre mishap has also left her anxious about yawning and stretching.
Medical experts say such injuries are extraordinarily rare but stress the importance of careful movement, particularly for individuals with underlying spinal vulnerabilities.
Despite lasting health challenges, Hayley is grateful for her recovery. She now shares her story to raise awareness about unusual medical risks and the unpredictable nature of accidents.
This bizarre mishap serves as a reminder that even everyday actions, like yawning, can sometimes lead to serious, unexpected consequences.
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