On 22nd February 2021, I was enjoying a well-earned holiday from work when I suddenly developed a headache—something I’d never experienced before. With my First Aid training, I knew this could be a sign of something more serious, so I dialled 999. By the time the ambulance arrived, I was feeling increasingly unwell and had fallen asleep on the bed. I couldn’t move when the paramedics arrived, and I was rushed to A&E. I remember getting into the ambulance, but after that, everything is a blur.

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The next thing I recall is waking up at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham. I had no memory of the two-and-a-half weeks that had passed, or the respiratory failure I had suffered. The doctors told me I was going to be transferred to The General Hospital in Leicester, where my recovery journey would begin.

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When I woke up, I was unable to move at all and was in a side ward. I was also aware that it was my birthday, and I remember listening to the funeral of Prince Philip on the radio. I spent some time in a main ward, and that’s when physiotherapy began. At first, I was taken to sessions in a wheelchair, but slowly, I started to make progress. Sitting out of bed for longer periods, moving my body, and even doing physio for washing and dressing were small but significant steps forward.

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In August, I was discharged from the hospital and moved to Barclay House for further rehabilitation. But the road ahead was far from easy. By December 2022, I was still in a wheelchair and struggled with many everyday tasks at home. Carers would visit four times a day to help me with washing, dressing, and other essential activities. Despite their support, I often felt overwhelmed by how much I couldn’t do on my own. The wheelchair barely fit through some doors, and I had to find ways to get upstairs. I even had two falls, which resulted in a broken collarbone and another trip to the hospital.

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Even then, I kept working with my physiotherapists. They encouraged me to use a walker, first for transferring from the bed to a chair and then for moving around. There were times when I was frustrated and in a hurry, but my physiotherapy team—along with my doctors and nurses—worked together to make sure I could keep moving forward.

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One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through my physiotherapy sessions with Taher ay NeuroAbility, is that recovery is as much about mindset as it is about physical progress. It's easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned, but overcoming fear of failure is key. You have to keep trying, even when you stumble. There will be setbacks, but each setback is an opportunity to learn and adapt. And when you achieve something, no matter how small, it builds your confidence and reinforces the belief that you can do it again.

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Looking back, it’s hard to see the progress day by day. Recovery feels slow, and there are times when it seems like you’re not improving. But when I reflect on where I started and how far I’ve come, I’m amazed at the strides I’ve made. Yes, it takes time—months, even years—but setting small, achievable goals along the way helps to keep me focused and motivated.

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For anyone else on a similar journey, remember this: recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be tough days, but each step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. The path to recovery is not linear, but with patience, determination, and the support of a great team, it is possible to rebuild your life and regain your independence.