Evie Toombes, a 20-year-old woman from the UK, won a lawsuit against her mother's doctor for negligence during her birth. She was born with spina bifida, a condition that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb. Toombes claimed that her condition could have been avoided if her mother had received appropriate medical guidance. As a result of her condition, Toombes has encountered various difficulties, such as problems with her legs, bladder, and bowel, and frequently depends on a wheelchair.
The lawsuit centered around a meeting Toombes' mother had with Dr. Philip Mitchell before having Evie. She asked for advice about stopping birth control pills and whether she needed to take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects. Dr. Mitchell reportedly said folic acid wasn't needed, which Toombes and her lawyers claimed was wrong and careless.
During the court case, it was brought to light that Toombes' mother would have waited to conceive if she had been told to take folic acid. Susan Rodway, the lawyer representing Toombes, stressed that Toombes' mother had meticulously planned her pregnancy, especially after losing her parents at a young age. Knowing the significance of folic acid, she would have taken precautions to prevent spina bifida.
Dr. Mitchell's attorney argued that the doctor had given appropriate advice, but the judge sided with Toombes. The judge stated that Toombes' mother was not properly advised to take folic acid before and during early pregnancy. The ruling suggested that if Toombes' mother had received proper advice, she might have delayed her pregnancy, resulting in a different outcome for Evie's health.
After winning her court case, Toombes is now focused on spreading awareness about her condition and still enjoys competing in para showjumping with her horse, Daisy. She is using her influence to teach people about spina bifida and the significance of receiving proper medical care before and during pregnancy.
