A "BRAVE" woman is regaining her strength after undergoing life-saving surgery in America.

Ali Turner and her family spent five weeks in Washington where the 33-year-old underwent fusion surgery with a leading neurosurgeon.

It will take around 12 months for Ali's body to recover from the operation but she still faces a lifetime battling with the uncertainties of two debilitating conditions - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type 3 and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTs).

A complex five-hour operation saw Ali's skull, and the top two vertebrae in her neck, fused. During surgery a framework was built within her vertebrae, held together by screws.

Ali, from Tottington, said: "When I first awoke from surgery I couldn't lift my head as it felt extremely heavy and I needed assistance to sit up.

"The care was exceptional and I was looked after very well by all the doctors and nurses but I can't remember much due to the heavy dose of medication."

Ali spent five nights in the high dependency unit at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, overseen by Dr Faheem Akram Sandhu.

She added: "I'm extremely relieved to have had this life-saving surgery.

"I intend to work as hard as I can to regain my strength and as many functions as possible in order to have a better quality of life."

Ali is making steady progress, at first walking from room to room using a frame, and now walking short distances outdoors with a walking stick.

The next stage will see Ali's neck brace removed in November, at which point she will begin physiotherapy.

Her partner of five years Nick Zabel, also 33, said: "Throughout every step of this journey, Ali has shown a superhuman amount of courage.

"It is her aim to get back to some level of normality.

"Ali's determination and fight will help her to achieve any goal she sets herself.

"Her friends, family and I are so very very proud of her."

In 2016, Nick launched a Go Fund Me page for the £105,000 needed to pay for Ali's surgery.

The family still have a funding shortfall of just under £25,000.

To help their cause, Radcliffe Rotary Club held a dinner and dance fundraising event complete with Lionel Richie tribute act, Hamilton Brown.

Club president Les Monger said: "The event was a huge success, with more than 80 Rotarians and friends in attendance.

"It was a fantastic night and we were able to raise around £520 for Ali's cause."

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/alisfightforfusion.