Dianne Hatton

In December 2021, Dianne Hatton fell critically ill. Initially discharged without a diagnosis, she was rushed back days later. An emergency MRI revealed a devastating abscess that had already caused a major spinal stroke. She was rushed into high-risk surgery at RNOH.

After nine long hours, doctors told Dianne's family that she had survived – but she was completely paralysed from the neck down and unable to speak. She was placed in an induced coma and remained on life support for six months.

Doctors said she might never come home. But Dianne had other plans.

Thanks to her extraordinary willpower, the love and care of her family, and specialist rehab and support from RNOH, Dianne is now back home and continues to fight every day. Though still paraplegic, she’s now able to speak again and is making progress that once seemed impossible. Her strength inspires everyone around her.

Future daughter-in-law Lana took on a mind-boggling challenge in the summer of 2025 and walked 100km in just 24 hours to raise money for RNOH Charity, honouring Dianne’s strength and supporting the hospital that helped their family rebuild a life after everything changed.

Lana's incredible effort saw her raise several thousand pounds for us and it's already making a difference! The Spinal Cord Injury Centre at Stanmore has just taken delivery of accessible wardrobes for patients staying on the ward. Dianne said she was delighted and that specialist cabinets like this will make such a difference to each patient's stay.

Here you can see the family on the day they came in to see us and take a look at the new furniture for themselves. Well done Lana and the Hatton family, and thank you for all your support.