Mother-of-two survives rare neck fracture after forceful yawn, family left homeless

A Milton Keynes mother of two endured a life-changing neck fracture after a forceful yawn in 2016, an incident she later described in detail on social media. Hayley Black, then a 36-year-old former emergency call handler, said she instinctively yawned and stretched after watching her newborn daughter Amelia yawn while waiting for a bottle. She described an immediate electric shock sensation traversing half of her body, followed by a sudden paralysis on the right side.

She told her husband, Ian, that something was dreadfully wrong, and he called an ambulance only after she insisted something was seriously amiss. In the minutes and hours that followed, she was treated in an emergency department where initial scans did not reveal an obvious problem, and medical staff struggled to piece together her ongoing symptoms. The pain was severe, and she recalled gas and air helping little as she cried out in distress while workers tried to understand what was happening.

Doctors later determined the injury was far more serious than initial scans suggested, with the C6 and C7 vertebrae in her neck shifting into her spine during the yawn. Medical teams described the incident as a freak accident caused by the force of the yawn, which led to paralysis down the right side of her body. The revelation came during late-night tests and examinations, after which surgeons prepared for an urgent operation.

The emergency procedure, a discectomy and fusion, aimed to stabilize her spine and relieve pressure on the nerves. It was high risk; the medical team warned Mrs. Black’s mother that there was a 50/50 chance her daughter might not survive the surgery, and if she did, there were uncertain odds she would regain the ability to walk. The concern was compounded by low oxygen levels before she entered the operating theater, a factor some doctors cited in assessing the odds. In a testament to the procedure’s success, Mrs. Black awoke with her neurological functions largely restored. She said it felt “amazing” to regain movement and control, but cautioned that the experience left lasting psychological and physical scars.

Recovery from the surgery was lengthy and painful. Her husband Ian became the primary caretaker, effectively taking on a dual role as parent and nurse while also caring for their newborn daughter. The family faced severe financial strain, including a period of homelessness as they navigated medical appointments, rehabilitation, and the broader impact on their income. Mrs. Black also learned she had developed fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that complicate daily life. She spent months relearning basic motor skills and was confined to a wheelchair for part of her rehabilitation. A tracheal scar remained from the medical procedure, a physical reminder of the perilous path to recovery.

Speaking about the aftermath, Mrs. Black described years of nerve pain that persisted despite treatment. She said she experiences nerve shocks along her spine and into her head if she goes without medication and that yawning continues to provoke anxiety. She remains grateful for the outcome but emphasizes that the road to recovery was emotionally and physically grueling. She credits the surgeons and medical team for saving her life and restoring function, and she expressed ongoing gratitude toward her husband, who she said “became almost essentially a single parent and my carer overnight.”

The broader medical takeaway from Mrs. Black’s account centers on the fragility of the upper spine and the potential, though rare, consequences of even ordinary actions. The seven cervical vertebrae at the top of the spine support the skull and connect to the nerve pathways that control the arms and hands. In her case, the C6 and C7 vertebrae displaced forward, affecting nerves responsible for upper-limb movement. Doctors described the event as an anomaly in the way her body responded to a normal action.

As of today, Mrs. Black continues to navigate chronic pain and the long-term effects of the injury. She remains active in telling her story, urging others to advocate for themselves and to seek medical attention promptly if something feels wrong, even when initial tests appear normal. She stresses that recovery from such injuries is deeply personal and may proceed at an uneven pace, with setbacks and breakthroughs along the way.

Her experience also highlights the broader impact of serious medical events on families. The Black household faced housing instability in the wake of the incident, a consequence of the upheaval in caregiving responsibilities and income. Yet, through the support of clinicians, her partner, and community resources, she has continued to push for awareness about rare spinal injuries and the importance of patient advocacy. She emphasizes that resilience does not require perfection, and that living with chronic pain is a day-by-day process.

The case underscores a health story that blends sudden, dramatic medical risk with long-term rehabilitation needs. It reflects the serious consequences that can follow even routine actions when they interact with underlying vulnerabilities in the spine, and it illustrates how families adapt to life-shifting events. The personal narrative also serves to raise awareness about fibromyalgia and similar chronic pain conditions, which can complicate recovery and quality of life long after the initial injury has been addressed.

In closing, Mrs. Black offers a message of perseverance grounded in practical steps: listen to your body, seek timely medical advice for unusual symptoms, and advocate for yourself when the care team’s initial assessments do not align with how you feel. She frames her experience as a reminder that healing is possible, even after a catastrophic event, and that small moments—being able to walk, to play with her children, and to be present with her family—are worthy of gratitude.