A York mum who had her hands and feet amputated after developing a severe infection and being in a month-long coma has spoken about embracing her new life.

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 14:57

By Harry Booth

Mandy Neal, 61, was rushed into York Hospital, put in an induced coma and placed on a ventilator at the end of 2023. She was diagnosed with pneumonia but also an infection - Strep A. The induced coma lasted the majority of January 2024.

Blood supply around her body became restricted, which led to her needing to have her feet and hands amputated.

Her two sons - Ben and Jack - were given the opportunity not to revive her.

Now, Mandy is nominated for the Against All Odds award at the York Community Pride Awards 2025 - to recognise the challenges she has overcome.

"It's a lot different, but I'm doing really well," she said. "I can walk without crutches and I've started the process of getting prosthetic hands sorted.

"I didn't realise what was happening to me - going into a coma - I don't remember much about being in York Hospital and the ICU."

Mandy said her life "changed drastically" after losing her hands and feet but added: "It's not stopping me, I'm still going out and enjoying myself and going on nights away, I'm a lot happier."

Since moving to a single storey home in Clifton, and gaining familiarity with her prosthetics, Mandy said that gratitude has been important.

She said: "The thing is that I'm still here, I can still see my boys and grandkids, I can still go out and enjoy life. I'm not moping about it, it's happened.

RECOMMENDED READING:

York's Mandy Neal to lose her hands and feet after infection

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