Latest news with #SpinalInjuriesAssociation
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Northallerton mum who learned to walk again set for London Marathon
A Northallerton mum has said she is "determined" to finish the London Marathon this weekend - two years after emergency surgery left her unable to Watt went to A&E in May 2023 when she suffered severe back pain and changes to her bladder and days later she had an operation to remove a benign tumour and thick fluid build-up that had grown on her spinal cord. She spent two months in 31-year-old said her little boy James was the "inspiration" behind her incredible recovery. When Ms Watt woke up from surgery, her bladder and bowels were not functioning and she had very little sensation from the middle of her back down - meaning she was unable to walk, even with help from was transferred to the spinal unit at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where she underwent intense rehabilitation involving physio and occupational therapy. Ms Watt said: "I spent two months in hospital, I had daily physio, occupational therapists and lots of amazing doctors and nurses who taught me how to shower again and get myself dressed."I've gone from being in a wheelchair to having two crutches, to having one crutch, to walking unaided."The runner said she was "chuffed to bits" to also have the backing of two Yorkshire Olympians."Alistair Brownlee has actually sponsored me and Marc Scott, who I went to school with, has also been in touch," she said. While Ms Watt has always been active, dancing on the Royal Ballet Associate Programme when younger, she has never completed a run longer than 10k - but she said she was "determined" to cross the finish line in London - even if she had to walk some of the her spinal cord injury and muscle fatigue, Ms Watt has had to adapt her training."I've tried to listen to my body as much as I can and recognise when I need to have a longer rest period between runs, just so that some of those symptoms can settle down a bit more," she said."I've got quite a bit of pain after runs, but so far, we're doing alright, just getting through."While in hospital, Ms Watt was struck by the positivity of the Spinal Injuries Association's support network as it helped people adapt to life with their injuries, and has decided to do the marathon to raise funds for the Watt said crossing the finish line on Sunday would be "incredibly emotional". "I'll never forget the first time my little boy came to see me in hospital when I was in my wheelchair and he said to me: 'Mummy when you can walk again I'm going to say woo-hoo, well done mummy!' and that was the motivation I needed," she added. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Becoming paralysed changed my outlook on life'
A student who was told he may never walk again after becoming paralysed says he has a different perspective on life as he prepares to run the London Marathon. Tommy Rowlinson became paralysed from the chest down aged 19 after being diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis in 2022, a condition caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. Now, the 21-year-old University of Sussex law student is set to join thousands of runners taking to the streets of London on 27 April as he aims to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries. He said: "Going through something so traumatic does change your perspective on life. I'm a lot more grateful for what I've got and who I've got around me." Mr Rowlinson, from Bexleyheath, said he first noticed issues in September 2022 when his legs felt "abnormally weak". The next morning he collapsed while trying to get out of bed before taking himself to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. He went on to spend three months at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath before being treated at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Initially requiring a wheelchair, Mr Rowlinson was told that he may never walk again. But after months of physiotherapy, he can now walk and run, despite still suffering from some symptoms such as managing his bladder and bowels. He added: "I remember the first night when things started to come back and I could move from my knee to my hip. "It was the most incredible feeling ever. I FaceTimed my parents to show them I was moving my leg. It's such a fond memory from such a horrible time. "I'm a big believer that things will always get better, but I've come to terms with my injury now. The remnant conditions I have I'm happy enough with that I'm able to live a full life." Mr Rowlinson will run the London Marathon in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association, aiming to complete the event in less than five hours. He had intended to complete the marathon in his wheelchair, but after recovering quicker than anticipated, will now run the 26.2 mile (42.2km) course. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Traffic cone man eyes London Marathon world record London Marathon field set to break world record London Marathon Spinal Injury Association
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sussex student to run London Marathon after spinal injury
A student who was told he may never walk again after becoming paralysed says he has a different perspective on life as he prepares to run the London Rowlinson became paralysed from the chest down aged 19 after being diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis in 2022, a condition caused by inflammation of the spinal the 21-year-old University of Sussex law student is set to join thousands of runners taking to the streets of London on 27 April as he aims to raise awareness of spinal cord said: "Going through something so traumatic does change your perspective on life. I'm a lot more grateful for what I've got and who I've got around me." Mr Rowlinson, from Bexleyheath, said he first noticed issues in September 2022 when his legs felt "abnormally weak".The next morning he collapsed while trying to get out of bed before taking himself to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in went on to spend three months at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath before being treated at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville Hospital. 'Things get better' Initially requiring a wheelchair, Mr Rowlinson was told that he may never walk again. But after months of physiotherapy, he can now walk and run, despite still suffering from some symptoms such as managing his bladder and added: "I remember the first night when things started to come back and I could move from my knee to my hip."It was the most incredible feeling ever. I FaceTimed my parents to show them I was moving my leg. It's such a fond memory from such a horrible time."I'm a big believer that things will always get better, but I've come to terms with my injury now. The remnant conditions I have I'm happy enough with that I'm able to live a full life." Mr Rowlinson will run the London Marathon in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association, aiming to complete the event in less than five had intended to complete the marathon in his wheelchair, but after recovering quicker than anticipated, will now run the 26.2 mile (42.2km) course.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bexleyheath student who was told he 'wouldn't walk again' set to run London Marathon
A 21-year-old student who was told he would never walk again is set to run the London Marathon. Tommy Rowlingson, from Bexleyheath, became paralysed from the waist down after a viral infection in September 2022, when he was 19. He was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis, a rare condition caused by inflammation of the spinal cord, which can result in mobility issues and loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function. After being told by doctors that he may never walk again, Mr Rowlingson spent six months in gruelling rehabilitation sessions at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville. Despite the bleak prognosis, he continued to make significant progress each day. Tommy became paralysed from the waist down at 19-years-old. (Image: SIA) By the end of his time in rehabilitation, he was able to walk short distances. "The early days of my injury, when progress was sparse and functionality was low, were dark days, but despite having been told I might never walk again, I never gave up hope," he said. "Maybe because I was stubborn or maybe because I was young, but the idea of never being able to walk again just didn't lodge itself in my mind. "It was always 'one day'." He continued with his studies at the University of Sussex while continuing to focus on his goal of running the London Marathon. "I've always had intentions of doing the marathon, but I think my injury has just given me the push to actually do it," he said. "Originally, the plan was to do it in a chair, but I recovered much faster than I expected, so that went from rolling to running." With intense rehabilitation, Tommy learnt to walk again. (Image: SIA) Mr Rowlingson will be running the 26.2-mile race on April 27, 2025, in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association. Despite his remarkable recovery, Mr Rowlingson still faces daily challenges as a result of his injury. "Managing my bladder and bowels alongside exercise and diet has been challenging. "Muscle recovery has been challenging too, but I've been increasing the frequency of exercise which trains them to recover faster." The Spinal Injuries Association is a national charity that provides support to people with spinal cord injuries through peer-to-peer support, clinical advice and advocacy, counselling, and by working with policymakers. Mr Rowlingson said: "For me, the SIA do so much in order to represent and be a voice for the spinal cord injury community. "They provide support for those that need it and advice for those that want it. "When I was in Stoke Mandeville, a support coordinator who was living with a spinal cord injury came in and helped with patient education, which is essential for someone like myself coming to grips with their new body." To support Mr Rowlingson's fundraising for the Spinal Injuries Association, visit his Just Giving page.
