"I lost my smile after brain surgery - now I'm helping others find theirs"
Doctors in Leeds have helped young woman recover her smile after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour
Hattie Colwell was just 24 when she started to experience headaches, dizziness and nausea.
She was working in Canada as a live-in nanny and little did she realise that she would be diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Hattie underwent surgery in Canada in 2023 but soon after the operation she developed facial palsy which impacted the movement and tone on the left hand side of her face.
Upon her return she was referred to specialists at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in a bid to help restore her smile and provide psychological support.
Hattie’s care helped her manage both the physical and emotional impact of facial palsy, which can leave one side of the face with a drooping appearance and challenges with blinking, eating or speaking.
She said: “I would really like to thank the teams at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. From the beginning, I felt listened to and supported.
“They took the time to understand not just my condition, but how it was affecting me day to day.”
“The care has been exceptional. Everyone works together and you feel supported throughout. It has made a real difference to my recovery.
“It’s been challenging at times, but it feels really positive to be getting my independence back.”
As part of her treatment, Hattie has undergone several procedures to help restore movement and improve function of her face.
She continues to receive follow‑up care while rebuilding her independence. She has returned to work and recently moved into her own home.
Alongside her recovery, Hattie is now supporting others affected by facial palsy through her involvement with the charity Facial Palsy UK.
Miss Touil, consultant plastic surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Hattie’s journey reflects both the challenges of facial palsy and the importance of specialist, multidisciplinary care.
“Our focus is always on supporting patients as individuals, combining surgical expertise with rehabilitation and psychological support to achieve the best possible outcomes.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of Hattie’s recovery and to see the progress she has made.
“She truly is an inspirational young lady and is now supporting others”