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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.