Ms King had been working in the NHS as a healthcare assistant when she developed Cauda Equina Syndrome.<\/p>\n
The rare condition is caused by a large, prolapsed disc in the lower back and can bulge outwards between the vertebrae and press on the nerves within the spine.<\/p>\n
Ms King required urgent surgery to save her mobility, but the condition left her with permanent nerve damage.<\/p>\n
She told The i Paper: \u201cThe surgery saved my mobility, but it didn\u2019t undo the nerve damage. I live with chronic nerve pain, bladder incontinence, and flare\u2011ups that can completely take over my day.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome days I can function well, and other days it feels like my spine is being snapped in half. I can\u2019t predict it, and that unpredictability affects everything, walking, standing, leaving the house, even basic routines\u201d. <\/p>\n
Since being diagnosed with the condition in 2018, she said she felt like she had to \u201cprove repeatedly\u201d to the Department for Work and Pensions<\/a> that her condition existed.<\/p>\n \u2018I had to prove that I needed support\u2019 <\/p>\n Kitty revealed: \u201cTrying to prove this to personal independence payment was incredibly difficult. I was downgraded in 2025 and lost my mobility support, even though my condition had not improved, and I\u2019ve had PIP since 2019.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole process felt like I had to prove repeatedly that I was struggling enough to deserve help. Trying to explain how things affect me on bad days, especially when it\u2019s not always visible was really difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n While coming to terms with her long-term health condition and looking after her young daughter, she was also going through the \u201cemotional\u201d stress of the application.<\/p>\n \u2018I rely on people more than many realise\u2019 <\/p>\n Ms King said: \u201cAs a parent, I didn\u2019t have the option to step away from it. I was dealing with the stress of the application while still needing to show up every day for my child. It\u2019s not just paperwork, it\u2019s emotional, and it takes a toll.\u201d<\/p>\n The former NHS worker admits that without the extra personal independence payment she would have to choose between taking transport or paying a bit more for things that save time. <\/p>\n \u201cI rely on it more than people probably realise,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cThere are days where I must make things easier just to function \u2013 like choosing transport instead of walking or paying a bit more for things that save time and energy. Without that support, I\u2019d be constantly choosing between essentials.\u201d<\/p>\n Kitty feared if the personal independence payment was taken off her it would leave her struggling \u201cmentally and physically.\u201d She admitted it is not about \u201ccomfort\u201d but about being able to \u201ccope\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_294437445_debf08-e1777119659959.jpg\")
Kitty required urgent surgery to save her mobility, but the condition left her with permanent nerve damage<\/p>\n