Woman paralysed in two hours by rare spine disorder

A 20-year-old woman was paralysed from the neck down in the space of two hours after being struck by a rare spinal disorder.

Abby Rout wants to become a riding instructor – but does not know if she will ever be able to sit on her horse Pandora again after being diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis.

The rare condition, which experts have suggested could be caused by anything from a viral infection or vaccination to spinal injury, affects the spinal cord and causes paralysis and numbness in the limbs.

Many victims are left with severe disabilities, while others can make a complete or partial recovery, although this can take up to two years.

Abby, from Banwell, near Weston-super-Mare, was enjoying a night out with friends in Southampton when she suddenly lost feeling in her hand and dropped her bag.

When her legs began to go numb her friends rushed her to hospital, where her condition worsened.

Within two hours she had lost all feeling below her neck and doctors diagnosed her with acute transverse myelitis.

Abby has remained immobile for six weeks since the incident and has been warned she may never walk or ride a horse again.

She said yesterday: ''It is unbelievable what has happened to me.

''I was out with friends and had nothing alcoholic to drink when I lost feeling in my hand, and then I couldn't move a thing. You can't really imagine what it was like.

''Doctors are still not sure how much I can recover, but I'm trying to remain strong and focused."

Abby is on an equine studies course at Sparsholt College, near Winchester, and had gone out with fellow students when she was struck down on October 4. Before the girls had even entered a pub Abby's hand went numb. Within an hour Abby had lost feeling in her legs and her friends rushed her to Southampton General Hospital. By the end of the second hour Abby had lost all feeling from the neck down and doctors made the diagnosis.

After six weeks Abby, who is now being treated at Western Community Hospital in Southampton, still cannot walk but is hopeful after regaining some feeling in her right arm.

She said: ''Although I've gradually been able to get some feeling on my right side, I'm still stuck to the bed and cannot walk.

''I'm desperate to get back home and be with my family and friends again, and I'm not giving up on the hope of riding my horse Pandora."

Abby's family have rallied around her and say they cannot believe her spirit and determination to get better. Her dad Andy, 46, a maintenance man and coastguard rescue officer from Banwell, said: ''The doctors don't know and we don't know what's going to happen. But Abby's been absolutely brilliant. I thought I would need to inspire her and bring her up, but if anything she's been an inspiration to the rest of us.

''When I went down the following morning she was completely paralysed from the neck down, and she was very, very poorly.

"It was so frightening. It was horrible to see her like that, especially as her father because I couldn't do anything about it.

''But she's really taken it all in her stride. She's been incredibly brave. She's shown immense character and I know she will pull through this."