BRADFORD on Avon teenager Miranda Meldrum is making good progress with her recovery from a brain haemorrhage in April which has left her unable to walk, talk or sing.

After spending two months in intensive care, Miranda was transferred to the neuro-science and neuro-rehabilitation ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital where she is recovering well.

Her mum, Dr Stella Meldrum, said: “She first was able to wink her left eye once for ‘yes’, twice for ‘no’ and three times for ‘thank you’.

“She then started to nod her head, which she now prefers to do instead – having been unable to move any part of her body at all for three months prior. Upon first doing this she made her physiotherapist, and of course both her parents, cry.

“Over the past two weeks she has started to struggle up to get off the bed using the upper part of her body and is now moving her left arm to wave ‘goodbye’. She’s also moving her right arm a little now and both legs more.”

Miranda has a talent for singing and performing and a special ‘Break Through Silence’ fundraising concert for her is being held at the Wiltshire Music Centre on Thursday, October 19.

Dr Meldrum said: “Miranda is a wonderful singer and has many messages from her friends looking forward to hearing her sing again and hear her bubbly and humorous personality once again.

"Miranda is now able to express her personality a little now. She’s giving us a left hand wave, thumbs up, and is cheekily drumming her fingers when bored in therapy, and is using her fingers to type on a large keyboard. She’s also giving a high five with her palm and the ‘whatever’ shoulder shrugging. She's very excited by her progress and so are we.”

Miranda was badly affected by the brain haemorrhage she suffered in April which has left her with Locked-in Syndrome. This is a condition in which the patient is aware but cannot move or communicate verbally due to a complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body.

But Dr Meldrum says: “We’re so excited – all four limbs are moving so that’s a definite no to the ‘likely quadraplegia’ prognosis we had initially. Looking at her early scans, it was a possible horrendous outcome that she faced.

“We all decided to just wait and see and followed a Harley Street specialist’s advice to ‘look at the child and not the scan’. Thankfully, she seems to be responding to the care and physiotherapy that she’s receiving in hospital.”

Miranda and her mother launched a gofundme appeal to raise an initial £10,000 to buy special equipment which would enable her to communicate. The appeal hit its target within 17 days and has since been increased to £20,000 to enable Miranda’s home to be adapted for her needs. So far, the appeal has raised £11,915.

Dr Meldrum added: “We still need to raise money for lots of ongoing therapies that Miranda will need when she is able to leave hospital. Complex muscle stimulation equipment will be required to help Miranda’s muscles to progress more.

“The strength in her left leg is now back up to normal speed already. Every day something new is repairing to the great joy of her parents, relatives, friends and all of the staff.”

The appeal funds raised so far will enable her parents to buy specialist ‘eye gaze’ communication equipment which will help Miranda to spell and communicate via her eyes until she is able to talk once again.

She will also require a motorised wheelchair for tired times – although she hopes one day to walk again - and her parents will need to have their cars adapted. Miranda’s home will need major, expensive alterations for her safety and ongoing recovery.

“Miranda is looking forward very much to some home visits, including spending Christmas day at home if property adaptations can be sorted out in time," Dr Meldrum said.

“She will also require ongoing intensive therapies to help continue to improve her functioning and return to her school and friends, including specialist tutors.

“She is much loved and missed. Many of her friends have kindly given their pocket money fivers to help her raise funds and Miranda is so grateful for the donations she has received.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the Miranda Meldrum appeal should go to:https://www.gofundme.com/lis-locked-in-syndrome-aged-13