On the 28th of March 2018 I was rushed into Milton Keynes Hospital having collapsed at home and unable to feel my legs. On admission I underwent an MRI scan that showed I had suffered a spinal epidural. In simple terms an infection had entered my body and latched itself on the spinal cord causing paralysis of my legs. I was rushed to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital in Oxford where I underwent an emergency operation to remove the infection from my spine.

After spending an initial three weeks in the Oxford hospital I was transferred to the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit where I was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury at Thorax level 7 rendering me almost totally paralysed from the waist down. Despite this shocking news I did have a level of feeling and sensation in my legs which gave me hope that I could with intense physio be able to rehabilitate.

Over the next six months I would embark on a journey of intense physio, hydrotherapy and patient education which would provide me with the basic skill sets to live as independently as possible. Nine weeks post operation passed without any lower limb movement until after several Hydrotherapy lessons I woke up one morning to see my toes moving. This initial movement would increase over the coming weeks and months as the intensity of physio increased. I now had a real sense of belief and reason for optimism and continued my rehab. Despite the increased activity in my legs the level of my injury and muscle waist meant I was unable to stand unaided. As a result I was unable to extend my stay in hospital and was discharged on the 26th of September a permanent wheelchair user.

Now back at home with the love and support of both family and close friends I am embarking on a life changing journey that is seeing me integrate back into the community whilst continuing my fight to walk again. Unfortunately the NHS are unable to support my need for physio having discharged from hospital and I am having to fund my own physio privately, a cost I can ill afford. A 1 hour Physio session is £70 and a 45 minute Hydro lesson is £75. I require a minimum of one a week.

Medical research into spinal cord injuries suggests that the optimum time to rehab is within the first two years post operation, so the more I can do in the next twelve months the greater the chance of achieving my goal of walking again.

With your willingness to make a donation however small I maybe able to continue with my physiotherapy and increase my chance of my goal

Best Wishes

Mark