My 300 miles walk for Transverse Myelitis

[p]Why am I doing this well here's my story.[/p][p]Friday 21st September 1990 was the day I collapsed at school and my life changed. [/p][p]What started as pins and needles during a school assembly went on to become numbness and then complete loss of feeling from my waist day resulting in me collapsing.[/p][p]I was rushed to Medway hospital where tests were carried out, however they couldn't give me a diagnosis. [/p][p]I was transferred to All Saints Hospital Chatham in the evening and all I remember is that I was put in a bed that was far too small for me but hey I couldn't feel anything from my waist down so it didn't matter. [/p][p]I was due to have a lumbar puncture under local anaesthetic so my parents brought me a brown soft toy owl which I fell in love with (I was only 12). I can't remember if the lumbar puncture was attempted on the Saturday or Sunday but I do remember my Mum crying as I was screaming out in pain because they couldn't get fluid just blood. [/p][p]As the lumbar puncture wasn't a success it was decided I would be transferred to Great Ormold Street Hospital, we went that evening and the following day I was put under sedation to have another lumbar puncture and further tests were carried out. The results came back and I was diagnosed as having Transverse Myelitis. It was 50/50 if I would ever walk again.[/p][p]What was the cause of my TM well a simple infection that turned into a virus which attacked my spinal cord, resulting in me being paralysed from my waist down. [/p][p]There was nothing more that Great Ormold Street could do for me that All Saints couldn't do so I was transferred back to All Saints to commence intense physiotherapy. [/p][p]Memories from that time were 1, being one of the oldest on the ward I was given the biggest cubicle, 2, being told off by the nurses as I would wheel myself to the toilet and transfer myself from wheelchair to toilet (even then I was stubborn and independent), 3, My class came to visit me and we were allowed off the ward so we went to the restaurant, a group of 12 years old in charge of me in a wheelchair on slopes.... So many strange memories from such a difficult time [/p][p]After 8 weeks with alot of determination, frustration, tears and sheer hard work I was slowly learning to walk again with the aid of a zimmer frame.[/p][p]I was discharged from being an inpatient to an outpatient and had to attend physiotherapy every other day then weekly. [/p][p]I returned to school in the January on 1991.[/p][p]To date I still can't run/jog, I struggle walking up flights of stairs, walking for long periods of time (which is why this is a challenge for me), my sense of gravity isn't great as I fall/trip easily, my legs have twitches and spasms which is rather annoying. I don't actually know when I cut myself and I have delayed reaction if I step into a bath and the water is too hot. I'm also left with not having 100% of feeling from my waist down but I'm walking and that's one of my biggest achievement in my life.[/p][p]Why is 300 the number I have chosen well in the UK there are only 300 people living with Transverse Myelitis, so understandably there isn't much support available out there. [/p][p]So I'm going to walk 1 mile for every person who has this condition as not everyone can walk or even lift their arms (I see myself as being a lucky one). [/p][p]During my walk I hope to raise £300 as this will pay for one person with TM to see a neuro-physio specialist for two hours to gain valuable knowledge in dealing with their condition, which myself or my family didn't have 27 years ago.[/p][p]If you would like to follow my daily updates here is my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440617162687643/[/p][p]Thanks for taking the time to visit my Virgin Money Giving page.[/p]