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A Substantial Recovery

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4pm, Monday 29th October

My world today is very different to when I first started writing these blogs. Today I am able to get up in the morning, shower, and climb down the stairs by myself. I can be left home alone without the fear of needing the loo or simply being unable to move across to the next room. I am able to pet my dogs and walk them round the garden. I can talk whilst standing, if the conversation is boring, I can walk away. I no longer have to give precise instructions on how I want things done. I have control, I have my life back, I can have a life. No longer am I pinned down by a medical condition, I am free. Free to earn a living. Free to live independently. Free to pursue my life’s ambitions.

I am not fully better by any means, but my recovery is substantial. Substantial enough not to rely 24/7 on friends, family and the state. I have full respect for anyone who battles through life in a chair. It is hard. Really hard. To go out, planning must be done long in advance. Is there a step? Can I fit through the doorway? Lifts? Will it be so cold that I need to insulate my feet in a plastic bag? How will I get there? Will I be able to rest? How will I go to the loo? There are so many hurdles that in most cases, going out just isn’t worth the risk.

A lot is being invested into making the urban environment more accessible, and it works. It works to make going out possible. It is hard to imagine the difficulties faced by those with disabilities 50-years ago, or even in some developing countries today.

So as my recovery dawdles on, I hope that I’ll be left complete. But if not, I shan’t be grieving. Today I’m at a point where each improvement is a luxury, no longer a necessity.

Tuesday 30th October 2018

A year has passed since I experienced the first onset of symptoms. Back then I had no concept of the seriousness of the situation, narrowly escaping with my life. In hindsight, I wish I’d been more proactive in the early days. That way I would likely have recovered fully by now. But when you think of yourself as invincible, as is natural for a 21-year-old male, and the doctors are telling you that you will be fixed in the morning, it is hard to see how things could have panned out differently.

A year on and I am still working on my recovery. The events that started on the 30th October 2017 have been life changing beyond anything I could have imagined 365 days ago. Thankfully, it hasn’t been life ending.

Welcoming Mrs Ankle back into my life

16 thoughts on “A Substantial Recovery”

  1. Angus so pleased and proud of all that you have achieved. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Australia. If you have half as much fun as your Mother & I did you will have a fabulous time!!! X

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  3. Gosh. What a year. Delighted to find us here after the terrible few days this time last year. Complete panic and so far away….helpless and clueless. Now full of hope and happy.
    I will never look at somebody in a wheelchair in the same way. Well done Angus for being so positive in your battle with GBS Lots of love. Dad

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  5. Well done Angus you have done so well . They keep saying give it time and it just shows they are right . I am not completely there but like you I can manage . I have even gone back to work 3 hours a day . Keep up the good work .x

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  7. Your recovery has been phenomenal Angus, and I would imagine largely due to your positive mental attitude throughout which has been extraordinary. At last you’re heading out to Oz! Enjoy it, and give Chuffs a big hug from me too when you see her. Congratulations on all your extreme hard work over the last year, can’t think of anyone who deserves a holiday more xx

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  8. Angus you are amazing. When I think this day a year ago you’d just cycled Death Road wondering what the tingling feeling meant in your legs…and that night you were in hospital. I’ll never forget seeing you lying prostrate on that hospital bed in La Paz having flown through the night to you. You’ve worked so hard on your recovery and come much further than the medical establishment thought you would, and you’re still recovering. Have a wonderful time in Oz, you deserve it!

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  9. What a journey. It’s been really, really hard but you never gave up trying, never gave up hope and to be where you are just a year later is testament to your incredible fortitude. You’ve taught me so much and I’m so proud of you. Enjoy feeling the sand between your toes in Australia!

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  10. Angus,
    A huge, huge well done for all you have achieved. The sheer amount of work and determination you have put into every physio session has been exceptional and you have reaped the benefits.
    Have a WONDERFUL time in Australia and New Zealand, you deserve it!

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