Latest news with #TheGirlWhoNeverAte
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
She didn't eat a bite until she was 10! Tia-Mae McCarthy ‘The Girl Who Never Ate' tragically died at 26
Tia-Mae McCarthy, whose rare and mysterious medical condition made her the focus of a heart-rending 2006 UK documentary titled 'The Girl Who Never Ate', has tragically passed away at the age of 26. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Her early life story, defined by survival against immense odds and a baffling refusal to eat, resonated with millions and captivated the attention of medical professionals across Britain. Born 12 weeks premature and diagnosed with a rare congenital condition known as oesophageal atresia, Tia-Mae underwent life-saving surgery within her first months of life. Yet despite this, she did not eat a single bite of food by mouth for nearly a decade. For years, her mother, Sue McCarthy, became a determined figure in British media, seeking answers from specialists, doctors, and therapists who could not understand the psychological or physiological cause behind her daughter's refusal to eat. Tia-Mae's story became emblematic of both medical resilience and maternal perseverance. In time, she overcame her eating aversion, grew into a joyful, creative young woman with a love for horse riding and arts and crafts. Her sudden and unexpected death has left family, friends, and fans stunned. Born without a working esophagus, Tia-Mae's battle began at birth Tia-Mae's ordeal began at birth. She was delivered 12 weeks prematurely and diagnosed with oesophageal atresia, a rare and serious condition where the oesophagus does not form a continuous passage to the stomach. This defect affects approximately 1 in 3,500 newborns. At just three months old, surgeons performed a radical operation: Tia-Mae's stomach was relocated into her chest cavity so her digestive tract could function. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The surgery was considered successful, anatomically. However, what followed left the medical community bewildered. Despite being physically capable of swallowing, Tia-Mae showed a complete psychological aversion to eating. The Girl Who Never Ate : A national medical mystery As Tia-Mae grew, it became clear she wasn't developing a typical relationship with food. She refused to eat by mouth, even after doctors confirmed she could. From infancy through childhood, she was sustained entirely through overnight tube feeding, which delivered essential nutrients while she slept. In the documentary The Girl Who Never Ate, her mother Sue's desperate search for answers took center stage. The family sought out nutritionists, behavioral therapists, gastroenterologists, and psychologists. Yet, no one could offer a clear diagnosis or path forward. Theories included post-traumatic stress from early surgeries, severe oral aversion, sensory processing disorder, or food phobia—but none were definitive. Tia-Mae's case became symbolic of the limitations of modern medicine when it comes to the intersection of physical and psychological health. From tube feeding to gourmet tastes: Tia-Mae's remarkable turnaround Despite years of food therapy, it wasn't until age 15 that Tia-Mae slowly began to eat by mouth. The breakthrough appeared sudden, and she quickly developed a palate that surprised those around her—salmon, venison, and scallops were among her favorites. Her transition was not just nutritional; it marked a significant psychological shift. For the first time, she could enjoy social moments centered around meals and begin experiencing one of the most fundamental joys of human life. Though it took over a decade, Tia-Mae overcame what seemed impossible—a victory that inspired countless families facing similar struggles. Tia-Mae's joyful life, full of creativity and passion While Tia-Mae lived with developmental disabilities that prevented her from living independently or holding employment, she led a deeply fulfilling life. Her brother, Fin, now 22, spoke movingly to The Daily Mail about her personality and passions. 'She had a bit of a cough, but was otherwise well,' he recalled. 'Her mindset was a lot younger than her physical age… but she had a very full life. She loved horse riding, and she was really into her arts and crafts.' Tia-Mae found comfort in creativity. Whether it was painting, sculpting, or designing handmade gifts, her artistic expression was a cornerstone of her daily joy. Tia-Mae's untimely and shocking death Tia-Mae passed away suddenly and without warning at the age of 26. The precise cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and her family has expressed shock, noting she had only a mild cough prior. A GoFundMe page has been launched to assist her grieving family during this difficult time. The outpouring of support from across the UK underscores just how deeply her story touched hearts—both when she first appeared in the public eye and now, as people reflect on her short but inspiring life. Legacy and impact Tia-Mae McCarthy leaves behind a legacy of resilience, mystery, and quiet strength. Her story offered hope to families navigating rare medical conditions and complex behavioral disorders. The attention her case received helped raise awareness about feeding disorders and the psychological impact of early-life trauma. She is remembered not just for her early medical struggles but for the bright, loving young woman she became—an individual who defied odds and embraced life with joy, creativity, and passion.
NDTV
13-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Woman Who Didn't Eat Food For First 10 Years Of Her Life, Dies Aged 26
A British woman who did not eat food for the first decade of her life and was fed through a tube has died at the age of 26, her family announced, as per a report in The Telegraph. Tia-Mae McCarthy's mother, Sue McCarthy, found her unresponsive in her bed on April 28. The cause of her death remains unknown, but more tests are being carried out to ascertain how she died. "There was nothing abnormal. She had a bit of a cough, but was otherwise well," said her brother, Din, 22. "Her mindset was a lot younger than her physical age, so she couldn't live independently or have a job but she had a very full life. She loved horse riding and she was really into her arts and crafts." Ms Mae McCarthy's case baffled scientists across the globe as she received nutrients, vital to the human body's sustenance, through a tube while she slept for the first 10 years of her life. Born 12 weeks premature and weighing just under a kilogram, Tia-Mae had a rare congenital disorder called oesophageal atresia, which affects just one in 40,000 children. Since Tia-Mae's oesophagus and stomach were unconnected, she had to undergo a life-saving operation as a three-month-old toddler, where the two body parts were connected. For the first year of her life, Ms McCarthy recounts, her daughter spent most of the time in hospitals. Doctors baffled Despite having other disabilities, doctors could not pinpoint any medical reason for her refusal to food. Ms McCarthy suspected that it was a psychological problem that stemmed from the early months of her life when Tia stopped breathing multiple times and had to be resuscitated. Her case even featured in a 2006 documentary called The Girl Who Never Ate. As a desperate attempt, her mother took her to a specialist in Austria who ran a controversial research programme, which included periods of controlled starvation. Tia-Mae showed interest in food for the first time when she was 10. The tube keeping her alive was subsequently removed in December 2012, and by the age of 15, she had a normal diet. However, she was never able to live independently due to her disabilities.
Economic Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
The girl who never ate: British woman who didn't eat until age 10 dies at 26
Live Events FAQs Can a person survive without eating for many years? What psychological effects can early medical trauma have on children? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Tia-Mae McCarthy, whose early life captivated the UK in the 2006 documentary 'The Girl Who Never Ate', has died unexpectedly at the age of 26. She was born 12 weeks premature with a rare condition called oesophageal atresia , where the oesophagus doesn't connect to the underwent surgery at just three months old. Her stomach was repositioned into her chest so she could survive. While the surgery was considered successful, her recovery puzzled doctors and specialists, as despite no apparent medical reason, Tia-Mae refused to eat for the first decade of her life.'She had to be fed through a tube while she slept,' her mother, Sue McCarthy, explained in the documentary. For years, Sue searched desperately for answers, visiting doctors across the country. Yet no expert could fully explain why her daughter wouldn't eat. "Her case baffled experts."Her story touched hearts across the UK, turning her into a symbol of medical mystery and maternal devotion. Eventually, by age 15, Tia-Mae began eating normally, adding foods like salmon, venison, and scallops to her grew into a joyful young woman despite early adversity. She lived with some developmental disabilities, which meant she couldn't live independently or work, but her life was had a love for horse riding and a passion for arts and crafts, her younger brother Fin, 22, told the Daily Mail.'She had a bit of a cough, but was otherwise well,' he said. 'Her mindset was a lot younger than her physical age, so she couldn't live independently or have a job, but she had a very full life. She loved horse riding, and she was really into her arts and crafts.'The news of her death came as a "real shock" to her family and friends. A fundraising page has been set up to support the family during this difficult but only with medical intervention. In Tia-Mae's case, she was fed through a tube at night, which provided the essential nutrients her body needed. Tube feeding is a common method used for patients who cannot eat by mouth for medical or behavioral who undergo early surgeries or experience long-term hospital care may develop anxiety, PTSD, or developmental delays. These can manifest in behavioral challenges like food refusal or social difficulties, often requiring long-term therapy and support.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
The girl who never ate: British woman who didn't eat until age 10 dies at 26
Live Events FAQs Can a person survive without eating for many years? What psychological effects can early medical trauma have on children? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Tia-Mae McCarthy, whose early life captivated the UK in the 2006 documentary 'The Girl Who Never Ate', has died unexpectedly at the age of 26. She was born 12 weeks premature with a rare condition called oesophageal atresia , where the oesophagus doesn't connect to the underwent surgery at just three months old. Her stomach was repositioned into her chest so she could survive. While the surgery was considered successful, her recovery puzzled doctors and specialists, as despite no apparent medical reason, Tia-Mae refused to eat for the first decade of her life.'She had to be fed through a tube while she slept,' her mother, Sue McCarthy, explained in the documentary. For years, Sue searched desperately for answers, visiting doctors across the country. Yet no expert could fully explain why her daughter wouldn't eat. "Her case baffled experts."Her story touched hearts across the UK, turning her into a symbol of medical mystery and maternal devotion. Eventually, by age 15, Tia-Mae began eating normally, adding foods like salmon, venison, and scallops to her grew into a joyful young woman despite early adversity. She lived with some developmental disabilities, which meant she couldn't live independently or work, but her life was had a love for horse riding and a passion for arts and crafts, her younger brother Fin, 22, told the Daily Mail.'She had a bit of a cough, but was otherwise well,' he said. 'Her mindset was a lot younger than her physical age, so she couldn't live independently or have a job, but she had a very full life. She loved horse riding, and she was really into her arts and crafts.'The news of her death came as a "real shock" to her family and friends. A fundraising page has been set up to support the family during this difficult but only with medical intervention. In Tia-Mae's case, she was fed through a tube at night, which provided the essential nutrients her body needed. Tube feeding is a common method used for patients who cannot eat by mouth for medical or behavioral who undergo early surgeries or experience long-term hospital care may develop anxiety, PTSD, or developmental delays. These can manifest in behavioral challenges like food refusal or social difficulties, often requiring long-term therapy and support.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman who refused to eat for first decade of her life dies aged 26
A young woman who refused to eat any food for the first decade of her life has died at the age of 26. Tie-Mae McCarthy had to have nutrients pumped directly into her digestive system while she slept during her childhood. She was the subject of a TV documentary as Sue, her mother, searched for answers. She even travelled abroad to get her daughter help. The mystery was never solved – though Tia did eventually start eating and by 15 she had a normal diet and appetite. Her family have expressed their 'shock' at her sudden death, described the loss as 'unexpected'. Her cause of death is not yet known but further investigations are under way. Tia was born 12 weeks premature and weighed 2lb 3oz. She also had a rare congenital disorder called oesophageal atresia, which meant her oesophagus and stomach did not connect. She spent most of her first year of life in hospital and had to have an operation when she was three months old to move her stomach into her chest. While Tia did have other disabilities, there was no medical reason after the surgery why she could not eat food and her case baffled experts. Sue suspected it was a psychological problem that stemmed from the early months of her life where Tia stopped breathing multiple times and had to be resuscitated. When she was seven, she featured in a 2006 documentary called The Girl Who Never Ate. Her mother took her to a specialist clinic in Austria that ran a controversial research programme, which included periods of controlled starvation. When she was 10, Tia started to show an interest in food. The tube she had once relied on to keep her alive was eventually removed in December 2012 and by the age of 15 she had a normal diet. Tia remained under observation by a dietitian and continued to live at the family home in Aldershot, Dorset. Tia was never able to live independently because of her disabilities. Fin, her 22-year-old brother, said: 'There was nothing abnormal. She had a bit of a cough, but was otherwise well. 'Her mindset was a lot younger than her physical age, so she couldn't live independently or have a job but she had a very full life. She loved horse riding and she was really into her arts and crafts. 'It's a real shock to all of us that she's gone. 'Everyone loved Tia, she put a smile on everybody's faces. She brightened every room she entered and to lose her so unexpectedly has been incredibly difficult for all who loved her.' Tia's family have set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and have raised nearly £4,000. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
