A woman from Blackburn had to re-learn how to walk after developing a rare and life-threatening condition.
Michelle, who does not wish to reveal her last name, has a rare auto-immune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s nerves, called Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Four years ago, Michelle was completely paralysed and had to learn how to walk again.
She was determined to recover and after months of hospitalisation and weeks of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, she was able to go home to be with her three-year-old daughter.
She said: “I was walking to the toilet and my legs just gave way. [The left] side of my face dropped and I ended up getting admitted into hospital.
“I couldn’t do anything and I had to have a feeding tube. I was having physio five days a week. I had to get hoisted out of my bed and I had to learn how to stand.
“I had to use apparatus to apparatus to help me walk and then I gradually got rid of the apparatus and I was able to walk holding hands with the physio. I was getting stronger each day and I told them I would be walking out of this place, I don’t want to be in a wheelchair.”
Prior to being diagnosed, Michelle was not very active. One year after being discharged, her ex-partner suggested she join a local gym called Project 180. Michelle initially found the idea of going to a gym terrifying, but Project 180 proved to be a welcoming and supportive community.
Michelle, now mum of two young children, attends the gym for CrossFit sessions and claims going to the gym has helped improve her self-esteem, improve her fitness and lose over two and a half stone.
Being active is a form of self-care for both Michelle’s mental and physical health, and her journey at Project 180 has come full circle as she now volunteers to support others on their own fitness journeys.
Michelle said: “Covid hit during this time and I became isolated. My friend recommend the 180 programme and I have been here for nearly two years now. I graduated the programme and volunteered to support the other women.
“I am the fittest I have ever been and never did any sort of physical activity before. It has helped with my physical and mental health.
“The place has saved my life. It’s all about being the best you, no matter your illness or condition if you put your mind to it you will be able to achieve it. Just keep going and doing what you can. Try your best and you will get there.
“I had no friends before I came here. Now I’m lifted, it’s my safe place”.
“I was walking to the toilet and my legs just gave way. [The left] side of my face dropped and I ended up getting admitted into hospital.
“I couldn’t do anything and I had to have a feeding tube. I was having physio five days a week. I had to get hoisted out of my bed and I had to learn how to stand.
“I had to use apparatus to apparatus to help me walk and then I gradually got rid of the apparatus and I was able to walk holding hands with the physio. I was getting stronger each day and I told them I would be walking out of this place, I don’t want to be in a wheelchair.
“Covid hit during this time and I became isolated. My friend recommend the 180 programme and I have been here for nearly two years now. I graduated the programme and volunteered to support the other women.
“I am the fittest I have ever been and never did any sort of physical activity before. It has helped with my physical and mental health.
“The place has saved my life. It’s all about being the best you, no matter your illness or condition if you put your mind to it you will be able to achieve it. Just keep going and doing what you can. Try your best and you will get there.”
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome affects your senses, your movement and things such as breathing and your heartbeat. It's serious and needs urgent treatment in hospital.
It usually affects your arms and legs first before you get symptoms in other parts of your body.
Symptoms usually get worse over the first two to four weeks.
You might feel tingling, numbness or pins and needles in your feet and hands first. This is usually followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving your joints.
Other symptoms can include:
- sharp, shooting pain (nerve pain), often in your legs or back
- problems breathing
- problems with your face, such as drooping face muscles or trouble swallowing or speaking
- problems with your eyes, such as double vision
Some people’s symptoms become so severe that they are not able to move their legs, arms and face.
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