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Candice’s Story..
In the summer of 2006 Candice co-wrote and
performed a piece of drama for the Edinburgh
Fringe Festive The Flower whose Essence is dead If,
Candice could have written this script it would read
something like this: ‘A beautiful, young woman,
universally loved by everyone she met, struck down
by a rare illness with an unpronounceable name .....’
Candice’s smile was dazzling and infectious and
she shared it readily – it was the mirror of the
genuine, gentle and caring nature within. Candice
had a zest for life. Her interests ranged from travel
to musical theatre and a consequence had countless
friends. She was a Musical Theatre graduate with a
wonderful singing voice. As she waited to start her
primary teaching placement she worked at a local
children’s nursery, attended night school, volunteered
at a primary school and youth centre and taught
music and drama. Regardless of her workload she
always found time for people – always sharing her
big smile and unique and quirky sense of humour.
A sense of humour was paramount to Candice,
as was her family.
Candice was very healthy. However in May 2010
she began to feel tired and contracted a virulent
stomach bug. Her slow recovery was rationalized by
her busy lifestyle. By July she was lethargic and
described the increasing awareness of blurred vision,
upper back stiffness and the sensation of pins and
needles in her hands and feet. As Candice’s
symptoms progressed she was admitted to hospital
and it was here that we first heard the term
Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Candices’ relief at finally
having a name for her symptoms, albeit
unpronounceable was immense. Tests including a
lumber puncture were performed and Candice
taken to Intensive Care. Over the following three
weeks Candice received physiotherapy,
Immunogoblins and excellent nursing care.
However the physical and psychological effects of
Guillain-Barre Syndrome left Candice terrified. Her
mobility, swallowing and speech deteriorated and she
became isolated within her lifeless body. Candice’s
beautiful smile was gone and her voice reduced to a
gentle, breathy, little whisper. By 17th August
Candice’s condition deteriorated and the need to
ventilate was realized. During the procedure
Candice’s weak and tiny body suffered a Cardiac
Arrest and pursuing brain damage. 23rd August
2010, Candice’s 26th Birthday she lost her fight to Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
