A mother had a near-fatal experience when a powerful yawn caused her neck to shatter. Hayley Black, 36, was getting up to attend to her newborn baby, Amelia, when the incident occurred. As she stretched and yawned, she felt a sudden electric shock sensation in her body, leaving her arm immobilized.
Realizing something was seriously wrong, Hayley instructed her husband to call an ambulance. Despite initial disbelief from doctors due to inconclusive scans, it was revealed that the force of her yawn had pushed her C6 and C7 bones forward into her spine. Emergency surgery was successful, giving her a chance to walk again.
Sharing her story on TikTok with a video titled ‘I broke my neck yawning,’ Hayley recounted the terrifying experience. She now deals with permanent nerve damage, preventing her from working and leading to ongoing physical and emotional struggles. The incident, which occurred in May 2016, has left her cautious about yawning to avoid triggering any further complications.
Hayley, residing in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, expressed gratitude for the successful surgery that saved her mobility. However, she continues to cope with the aftermath, including having to relearn how to walk, being on medication for nerve damage, and developing fibromyalgia. She credits the medical team for her recovery and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and awareness of hidden disabilities.