Hey, I'm Ami. I'm 27, married and mum to our little girl, Daisy. It feels surreal to be introducing myself like that because if you had told me a few years back that I would get married and have a baby, I wouldn't have believed you. It's not that I'm pessimistic, but I was dying… I got told I was dying.

Back Story

In March 2018, I was rushed to hospital as I was unconscious and the paramedics couldn't get any clear readings/observations from me.

I remember waking up in a hospital bed and feeling really confused, I had no idea where I was.

All I could manage to do was move my eyes and turn my head slowly. I had no strength whatsoever in my arms or legs. I had no idea what happened.

I have hearing loss, central vision loss and had only being diagnosed with severe nerve damage and Ataxia just days before.

My body was too weak to handle whatever caused me to end up in hospital, and I was placed in a coma to give my body a chance to rest and recover, but the doctors weren't sure if I'd wake up.

Thankfully, I did and everything after that involved being transferred from different hospitals, finding out I almost died from double pneumonia, having a tracheostomy and I was on a ventilator for a month.

When I became more aware of things (after being heavily sedated), I realised I couldn't do anything independently. I had lost the ability to do everything.

Eat and drink independently. Clean myself. Type, write, grip things. Also I could no longer sit up by myself, stand up or walk. I was completely bedridden.

This was only the beginning of a very long recovery

After gradually recovering from double pneumonia, I was able to  be transferred to a different ward. I spent 8 weeks on this new ward where the physiotherapists worked really hard to help rebuild my strength.

When I left the ward, I was still dependant on using a hoist, but I had gotten some strength back in my arms and legs. And it still wasn't safe for me to go home just yet/

A further 6 months…

I was then transferred to Caroline House, Colman Centre, a specialist neurological rehabilitation centre in Norwich.

I really underestimated what these people could do, and I never expected the huge impact they would have on my life.

And those 6 months were the best months of my life.

The day I was wheeled into rehab, I was dependent on a hoist for transferring from bed to chair/commode/etc. The day I was discharged, 6 months later, I was able to walk with my walking frame with the support of 2 people. Not a long distance but I was able to manage a few metres.

I had intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy 5 days a week, it was hard work and there were so many times I wanted to give up but the staff got me through every single day with their kindness, their friendship and their laughter.

Over those 6 months, they worked so hard to help me regain mobility and independence. I learnt to eat and drink independently and without being supervised. To type and write again. To brush my hair, clean my teeth, have a shower and so much more.

There was so much equipment involved to help rebuild my strength - An ARJO and Ross Return (both standing aids) helped me to strengthen my legs and I was able to stand up and sit down using these.

I never knew people could walk using a hoist, and it really surprised me when I did just that after being at rehab for 2 months.

And I certainly never expected to be able to walk with a walking frame with assistance, but when I was discharged from rehab, I could walk a short distance using my frame.

My goal throughout rehabilitation was to walk down the aisle. All of the equipment listed below helped me to do this:

Hoist
Manual Wheelchairs
Powerchairs
Arjo
Standing aids
Ross Return
Walking bars
Walking frame
… and so many more small pieces of equipment that you wouldn't think made a difference, but every single item did.

As an outpatient, I still attended physio sessions once or twice a week, and by the time of our wedding in 2019, I was able to walk down the aisle with 2 people, and I managed the entire length of the aisle.

And two first dances too!

That's why I'm fundraising for the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments at Caroline House, Colman Centre, in Norwich.

They went above and beyond to help rebuild my life. I can't put into words how much they've changed my life. Every single member of staff has had a huge impact on me, they've helped in more ways than I could ever imagine.

The Challenge

Ewan and I will be taking part in the Superhero Tri at Dorney Lake, Windsor. The Tri consists of swimming, cycling and walking/wheeling. Ewan will be swimming, together we will be cycling, and to finish I will use my powerchair to complete the last element, however I hope to have enough energy to walk across the finish line with my walking frame and Ewan supporting me.

Please will you support me by helping to raise money for the physiotherapy and occupational therapy department so they can purchase more specialist equipment to continue helping people rebuild their lives?

I owe them everything for helping me get my life back.