Mom Thought Her 9-Year-Old Daughter’s Headache and Neck Pain Were from Cartwheels. Days Later, She Died of a Brain Bleed

A nine-year-old girl from Sydney, Australia, tragically passed away on May 11 following a severe brain bleed, just days after expressing discomfort from a headache and neck pain. Hannah Teklic’s sudden health deterioration shocked her family, who described her as a vibrant and loving girl with a passion for life.

Hannah’s ordeal began on May 7, when she woke in the early hours experiencing a seizure just a day after reporting pain in her neck. Her mother, Wasima, believed the symptoms were merely due to Hannah’s activities over the weekend, particularly dancing and performing cartwheels. In hindsight, Wasima said she administered pain relief, thinking it would help alleviate the discomfort.

Despite her mother’s attempts to manage the situation at home, Hannah’s condition worsened rapidly. The young girl fell out of bed during the seizure, prompting immediate medical attention. Once transported to St George Hospital, she underwent emergency surgery to address the brain bleed. After the surgery, doctors placed a drain in her skull to relieve excess fluid. Unfortunately, Hannah was later moved to the intensive care unit, where it became apparent her prognosis was grim.

Her father, Ivan, revealed that despite ongoing medical efforts, Hannah was declared brain dead following two separate rounds of tests. Reflecting on the situation, Ivan expressed his heartbreak, recalling their last moments together. “I kept hugging her, I kept crying, I kept trying to squeeze her hand but she wasn’t responding,” he recounted. The family chose to keep Hannah on life support briefly to ensure they could share one last Mother’s Day together.

The cause of Hannah’s seizures was identified as likely related to arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a condition where blood vessels form abnormally in the brain. Most individuals are born with AVM and may remain unaware of the condition until it leads to serious complications. Ivan lamented that Hannah, who was otherwise healthy and active, had shown no prior symptoms until her sudden decline.

“She was our one and only child and did not deserve this. She was so young,” Ivan shared. He went on to describe Hannah’s kind nature, noting that she had a gentle spirit and loved animals deeply. “She would catch flies and release them outside instead of killing them,” he explained, highlighting her compassion.

Hannah’s parents further reflected on her artistic talents and her recent success in athletics, where she had won a medal prior to her passing. “She was really free-spirited – she struggled with shoes and socks, and would always be barefoot,” Wasima recalled, fondly remembering her daughter’s lively personality and her dislike for confinement.

As news of Hannah’s death spread, her local football club, Marrickville FC, paid tribute to the young player. The club announced that all team members would wear black armbands in honour of Hannah during their upcoming matches. The club expressed their condolences, saying, “Hannah loved playing football with her friends and had been part of Marrickville FC for three years.”

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe page was established to assist with Hannah’s funeral expenses, which is being held in Ireland where her family resides. As of May 14, the fundraiser has raised over $37,000, demonstrating the profound impact Hannah had on her community.

Ivan summarised the loss by stating, “She was our best buddy and we’re going to miss her so much that I cannot begin to articulate it.” Hannah is remembered not just as a talented young athlete but as a beautiful spirit who touched the lives of everyone around her. Her family, friends, and community now come together to celebrate her life and mourn the loss of a remarkable young girl.