21-year-old Helen Fincham’s life was changed forever when she woke up with a neck pain which she thought was caused by an uncomfortable position while sleeping.
But a few hours later, she started suffering from a tight chest.
Fincham contacted emergency services and by the time they arrived, she could no longer walk. She was rushed to hospital in Swansea where she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis.
Now 24, Fincham said: “They went to help me up and I just fell through their arms and I was looking up at them confused as to why I wasn’t stood up.
“The next day I was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, and they were doing that thing to test your reflexes, where your leg is supposed to shoot up after your knee is tapped.
“My leg wasn’t doing that. I was crying, I couldn’t even wipe my own tears.”
In the UK, around 300 people were diagnosed with transverse myelitis every year and there is currently no cure to the condition.
Fincham spent the next 6 months in hospital and a year in rehab. She regained some strength and movement in her arms and now lives in a specially designed ground floor apartment.
“I can move my arms enough to feed myself but I can’t cut up food or prepare anything like that. I need full on care. I can’t do much independently,” she expressed.
Fincham receives professional care 7 hours a day.
“Last year, when it was really hot, I couldn’t even get outside by myself to sit out in the sunshine. I was just stuck inside waiting for my carers to come.
“I rely on people to wash me, dress me, move me, get me out of the car.
“I am so appreciative of the care I receive, but I just want to be able to do things for myself like any other 24-year-old. I love getting out of the house, I have been imprisoned long enough.”
Her friend Simon green is doing events to help raise money to help pay for specialist treatment.
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