A British mum has “ignored” doctors’ advice and taken her autistic son abroad for “game-changing” stem cell therapy.
Faye McCann’s six-year-old, Phoenix, used to self-harm by biting and scratching himself.
At his worst, his symptoms were becoming “dangerous and unmanageable.”
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The 34-year-old, who was “desperate” for an end to the never-ending cycle, sought out non-traditional forms of treatment, such as stem cell therapy.
In the UK, she claims doctors told her that the form of treatment “wasn’t endorsed” and that she “shouldn’t go” abroad to try it.
But now, after flying over 2,000 miles and forking out an eye-watering £10,000, Phoenix is a “drastically” different child.
“There have been huge changes,” the business mentor, who is from Newcastle and the founder of Faye Mac Consultancy, told Need To Know.
“He has never, since the day he had stem cells, self-harmed in any way.
“Not one head butt, not one bite, not one scratch – he’s never hurt himself again since that day.
“He doesn’t communicate like other children, so he would still be classed as non-verbal – but he can say words.
“We’ve got videos of us on Christmas morning, opening toys and reading the names of them.
“He can now spell and use a device that reads sentences out so he can communicate with us that way.
“Phoenix has started to come out with the alphabet, he loves numbers and can sing songs.
“The main thing for us is the understanding – he can understand what I’m saying.
“To use toast as an example; he can understand that it will be two minutes and sit down to wait for it.
“Rather than head butt the door frame thinking he’s not getting it.
“There’s much less frustration and more patience because he actually can process.”
Faye, who is also mum to Jett, 10, funded the trip alongside her partner using profits generated from their businesses.
Phoenix, who was diagnosed at aged two with severe ADHD and autism, had started to injure himself to the point where the mum feared for his life.
She said: “He was actually damaging his head; he had bumps on his head.
“He was biting himself so badly that he was actually taking chunks out of his own skin.
“Phoenix would scratch himself to the point where he would bleed.
“The doctors simply put it down to the fact he was non-verbal.
“But it was actually down to a huge lack of communication and a huge lack of understanding.
“He just couldn’t process things.
“I got to the point where I believe his life was at risk.”
The treatment, which is currently experimental, using mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue.
It aims to reduce neuro-inflammation and improves behaviour.
For Faye, and her partner, Chris Jones, 39, it was a matter of life-or-death.
She said: “I felt that we had tried everything that was available to us.
“Every year he’s getting bigger, getting stronger, getting faster.
“It got to the point where I couldn’t look after my son.
“We were completely desperate at the time.”
The pair settled on a clinic in Turkey, which offered one round of the treatment for £10,000.
In November 2025, the family jetted off and Phoenix underwent a week of treatments, which included stem cells being intravenously given.
He also partook in behavioural therapy, as well as brain mapping.
Faye said: “It was such a risk, as there were absolutely no guarantees that this was going to work.
“Every child is different.
“All we wanted is one percent improvement and it would’ve been worth it.
“Now, though, six months on, we’ve had 100%.
“It has been absolutely incredible.”
Faye, who is hoping to take Phoenix for a second round, is thankful for his current progress.
She added: “We just personally think it’s incredibly worth it.
“Life is a little bit easier now – it was very difficult beforehand.
“I was unable to look after him on my own.
“Now, it’s completely changed our lives.
“Phoenix has hurt us many times by biting, [but] he has not bitten any of the family since and is so much more loving.
“Every morning before school he climbs into each and every person’s bed and cuddles us all before we get ready.
“I’m way less worried about his life being at risk; he’s calmer, more patient and really trying to learn his life skills.
“Although he is still very vulnerable, I am optimistic for the future and smiling again.”
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