Story
Mission to get G home
Georgia, 21, spent half of the last five years in hospital. Georgia, a former GB athlete with Olympic aspirations, endured two life-altering injuries but now faces her biggest fight yet due to a significant setback.
At only 16 years old in 2018, she suffered a life-changing brain injury shortly after returning home from winning two golds at the World Cup. She fought to recover for a year in the hospital but was told she could never walk or return to sport again. Georgia had to relearn basic tasks such as eating, talking, standing, and walking. But she went back to competing just 18 months after her injury. At 17, she defied the odds and regained her strength. She persevered Despite health issues, multiple unexplained comas, and complex illnesses. Georgia went on to study physiotherapy to help others facing challenges she had endured and to show them there is always hope.
Georgia was later involved in a white water kayak accident at university that caused complex injuries, neurological complications, and paralysis. Despite this, she worked hard to reclaim her life for the second time at 19 years old. Despite many setbacks, she persisted and began to make progress. However, in 2022, she began to struggle with mental challenges. After her struggles, Georgia paused rehab and prioritized normalcy over Christmas. She joined the gym and began para-rowing; she says doing this saved her life. Gym and rowing brought freedom and hope. She started to work, competed in CrossFit, then got into the GB para-rowing pathway. She was back, determined to make a comeback and achieve Paralympic success. Optimism abounded, Georgia improved and achieved her greatest strength despite paralysis and persisting symptoms. She joined the gym in January and just three months later went on to get a bench press PB from before the accident. She was unstoppable after overcoming two life-changing injuries that seemed impossible to beat, and she finally found happiness again.
But, in April, Georgia had a spinal stroke (C4/C5) and experienced complications resulting in severe seizures that needed invasive interventions. This was when MELAS was mentioned. Sadly, MELAS is an incurable and rare condition. We are facing the battle again with very few UK specialists who deal with these conditions, especially for adults. Georgia is paralysed from the chest down, has limited arm function, and needs continuous care. Her health declines suddenly.
However, the hospital she is currently in cannot correctly address her complex needs and declining health. She's fighting but needs specialist help to be given a chance at recovery. Now she is lying in a hospital bed, uncertain of her future. Our mission: Get her home. We need outpatient specialists and specialist centres to help save Georgia's life and give her the best chance to fight: Returning home comes at a cost - adapting the house, getting a specialist wheelchair, round-the-clock care, and specialist equipment are just a few necessities. But by having her home, we can access the treatment she needs.
Help us by sharing the word. Help raise awareness. We'd greatly appreciate it. We have faith and optimism. Georgia continues to fight.
And as she says,
For now we fight on 💪🏻
#CARMICHAELCAN
