Amy Louise Leonard died on October 2 and an occasion is deliberate for Saturday, October 11
A younger lady posted a warning in regards to the risks of laughing gasoline on social media simply days earlier than her loss of life from the drug, it emerged on Thursday. Proficient make-up artist Amy Louise Leonard, 20, from Bolton, Better Manchester, shared a video from the again of an ambulance on September 29.
The caption revealed she had been left unable to stroll for 3 weeks due to her misuse of nitrous oxide. Her devastated household is planning a pink-themed balloon launch at Bolton Rugby Membership on Saturday at 5.45pm to have fun her life.
Household and pals will hearken to her favorite songs earlier than the balloons are let go. In her closing publish, Amy – recognized to family members as Amy Lou – urged others to “put your balloons down” as she defined the toll “laughing gasoline” had taken on her well being.
She wrote: “I simply wanna discuss balloons and what they’re doing to your physique. They will starve your mind of oxygen, trigger dizziness, blackouts and accidents, result in long-term nerve injury with repeated use, put severe pressure in your coronary heart and lungs.
“It is easy to suppose it is only a fast buzz, however the dangers are very actual – and sometimes underestimated and I’m now hospitalised as I’ve not been capable of stroll for 3 weeks by doing these. All my calves are mashed up, my again has a nervous system what’s failing and with this it is made me so depressed I’ve not been capable of transfer completely anyplace and I am in hospital now getting the assistance I would like so put your balloons down since you’ll solely find yourself like me.”
Simply three days later, on October 2, Amy tragically died after struggling cardiac arrests. Docs discovered a blood clot on her coronary heart and lungs.
Her mum, Catrina Proctor, 39, mentioned the household was nonetheless struggling to come back to phrases with the loss, however was decided to ensure Amy’s message is heard.
She mentioned: “Amy Lou was the lifetime of the room and would all the time make individuals really feel welcome, she was simply so bubbly and completely happy.”
The household launched a fundraising web page to assist with funeral prices. Catrina, who works at furnishings retailer Dunelm, is decided to lift consciousness of the lethal dangers of balloons, which have turn out to be a well-liked excessive amongst younger individuals throughout the UK.
She mentioned: “Balloons aren’t innocent. What’s fallacious with simply having fun with your self with pals, with out having to take medicine? What’s fallacious with a few wines and having a dance? This isn’t a great way to take pleasure in your self – it solely affords a three-second excessive.”
She added: “I will not cease elevating consciousness of this situation, I do not ever need it to go away.”
Nitrous oxide is often inhaled after being launched into balloons from small silver canisters. It offers a quick burst of euphoria lasting solely seconds, however specialists have warned that, in extreme circumstances, it could actually result in paralysis, clots or sudden loss of life.
The federal government reclassified it as a Class C drug in 2023, that means these caught possessing or distributing it now face legal prosecution.
