A courageous woman with Down's syndrome who fought back from the brink of death is learning how to walk again while helping others like herself.

Natalie Stephens, from Broadstairs, almost died in April when she contracted Covid-19 and spent 15 days on a ventilator in the QEQM hospital in Margate.

Her mother Linda Crichton was told she was unlikely to survive, but despite three bouts of pneumonia - at one time on both her lungs - Natalie pulled through and was brought home, five weeks after being admitted.

Her journey, however, is far from over, and the 30-year-old is now having to learn to walk again.

Inspired by the 39 Steps, the title of the famous book by John Buchan and a landmark near her home, she is pushing herself to walk independently and using her experience to help others like herself affected by the virus.

She is raising money for East Kent Mencap, a group in Cliftonville which she regularly attends and has supported her during her Covid-19 battle. The cash will go towards helping other survivors and Natalie hopes to be able to take her own 39 steps very soon.

Mum Linda says the charity was brilliant when Natalie was in hospital, putting together a CD with her favourite songs and messages about what they meant to her so she could listen while in a coma.

"Knowing my daughter could hear the music she enjoys brought us all considerable comfort," said Linda.

The mother-of-four opened up about her daughter's experience last month to give other people hope.

Linda had been told, just days after Natalie was admitted to hospital, that she was critically ill and that not many people put on a ventilator survived.

Devastated and unable to be by her daughter's side due to restrictions, she admitted they were her darkest hours.

But after being on a ventilator for 15 days straight, Natalie surprised everyone and her condition improved.

It was then the hard work started.

Linda said: "After being on a ventilator for so long she couldn't even lift her hands off the bed or talk because she was so weak and had muscle loss.

"She's had to learn how to sit up, walk and talk again."

Linda says Natalie still has a long way to go, but is grateful to the "amazing" NHS staff that she's made it this far.

"She couldn't even lift up a pen; now she can feed herself again, pull herself up, she's so much stronger and she can walk with a frame," she said.

"It's just so unbelievable.

"She survived and so many people haven't. And not all elderly, some were fit and healthy doctors and nurses.

"The point of wanting to tell her story is to give people hope.

"If someone is trying to find a positive story, then this can be it."

Natalie is aiming to raise £3,000 for East Kent Mencap.

To donate to the fundraiser click here.

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