A man from Bexley, southeast London, encountered a life-altering condition after a seemingly minor headache turned out to be something far more severe.
Gareth Bayley, a father of two, began experiencing headaches in April 2022. Initially, he attributed these to stress and did not think much of them. However, a turning point occurred when he collapsed at work due to a seizure, prompting an urgent visit to the hospital.
Upon arrival, he suffered multiple additional seizures. Medical professionals then delivered the shocking news that Gareth, at only 38 years old, had experienced a stroke.
Further distressing news awaited his family as doctors discovered that the stroke had occurred in Gareth’s brainstem, leading to the development of a rare condition known as locked-in syndrome.
This condition leaves individuals fully conscious but almost entirely paralyzed, causing his family to describe him as being ‘trapped in his own body’.
The medical team informed Gareth and his family that the possibility of him regaining movement was exceedingly slim. Despite being unable to speak or move his limbs, his wife, Karen, notes that he’s surpassed expectations over the past three years.
Despite these challenges, Gareth remains mentally alert and has reclaimed small but meaningful abilities through his facial expressions, allowing him to communicate by blinking to spell out words.
The family is now seeking to raise £35,000 (approximately $47,000) to purchase new equipment that could significantly improve his mobility.
They aim to acquire a Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike from the US. This innovative rehabilitation device utilizes electrical pulses to activate paralyzed muscles, potentially aiding Gareth’s recovery.
“Gareth is one in a million to me. He’s very outgoing and the life and soul of the party,” Karen shared. “He was the first one there if anyone needed help.”
“He is still him – he’s fully there and remembers everything. It’s just he can’t speak or move.”
“It’s been completely life-changing,” Karen added. “He was 38 and I didn’t associate a stroke with someone that age.”
Despite the difficult diagnosis, Karen describes her husband as a ‘fighter’, who has managed to express emotions like smiling and laughing, which doctors initially thought unlikely.
“Every small step forward has given us hope that more recovery is possible,” she expressed.
The couple attempted to obtain the bike through Gareth’s care home, but were unsuccessful due to its expense and it not being classified as an ‘essential piece of equipment’.
“But to us it is essential. If I can get him this bike it will be amazing,” Karen said. “It would help increase his muscle strength, prevent pressure sores, improve the movement range with his arms and legs, help his joint mobility, and help his muscle spasms.”
With the bike, they also hope that Gareth might eventually be able to return home to live with his family.
Karen stated, “It could give Gareth the best possible chance at further recovery, independence, and dignity.”
“My husband has expressed that he wants to come home and be with me and the children again.”
“But it’s the case of getting the equipment.”
“He has physio once a week in his care home and they’ve said if we can get the equipment, I can have training.”
“The goal is then to have him back home again.”
Donations to assist in purchasing Gareth’s bike can be made here.