Home   Thanet   News   Article

Ramsgate mum has daughter's brain tattooed on chest to raise awareness of rare condition

A devoted mum has had a picture of her daughter's brain tattooed onto her chest.

Zara Gabriel, from Ramsgate, decided to get the permanent image as a tribute to her daughter Eleanor’s bravery in her fight against a condition from which only four other people in the world suffer.

Eleanor has several life-limiting conditions including muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy and dystonia which all affect her ability to control body movement.

Zara Gabriel with her daughter Eleanor and the new tattoo raising awareness of the conditions and marking her bravery
Zara Gabriel with her daughter Eleanor and the new tattoo raising awareness of the conditions and marking her bravery

These conditions, along with a genetic mutation, mean she is only one of five with this disability.

In 2010, the 14-year-old, had a brain operation called deep brain stimulation (DBS) which involved placing a stimulator into her chest and drilling into the brain to insert electrodes helping control her body movement.

Mrs Gabriel, 36, said: “I wanted to raise awareness of dystonia and DBS but couldn’t think of anything appropriate until I saw a brain x-ray Eleanor had done showing her stimulator and electrodes.

Mum Zara having her daughters brain tattooed on her chest.Tattoo artist Martin Brooker starts the long process
Mum Zara having her daughters brain tattooed on her chest.Tattoo artist Martin Brooker starts the long process
Zara Gabriel is due to have her tattoo finished in a couple of weeks when the brain and chest implants will be highlighted
Zara Gabriel is due to have her tattoo finished in a couple of weeks when the brain and chest implants will be highlighted

“I love Gothic things, I am a big horror fan and always wanted to get a skull tattoo but didn’t want something everyone else has.

“So I decided to get Eleanor's brain x-ray tattooed onto my chest/collarbone as a tribute to her bravery and to raise awareness of dystonia and DBS.

“It all came about because a woman messaged me on Facebook who had a daughter going through a similar sort of thing but couldn’t find any information online.

Eleanor Gabriel had implants placed in her brain and chest after surgery 2010 which her mum commemorated with a tattoo
Eleanor Gabriel had implants placed in her brain and chest after surgery 2010 which her mum commemorated with a tattoo
Eleanor Gabriel had two scars left on her head after brain surgery in 2010
Eleanor Gabriel had two scars left on her head after brain surgery in 2010

“It made me think that poor woman was so worried and there was no support or information.

“Hopefully people will ask me what the tattoo is and I can explain all about it and the conditions.”

The only pain relief and exercise Eleanor gets is in water and the family are raising money for a hydrotherapy spa pool and hoists to be built in the garden for her.

So far they have raised more than £3,100 with a £5000 target on their Elle's Angels gofundmepage.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More