News | Monday, 25th June 2018
Kadeena Cox: Thank you NHS for helping me live my dream
Paralympian and physiotherapy student at Manchester Metropolitan University, Kadeena Cox, shares her NHS story
Orginally published in The Guardian.
Before I had a stroke, in May 2014, I was one of the healthiest people you’d meet. I was an elite athlete. I remember my running wasn’t going very well; I’d entered the Loughborough International [athletics event] and was suffering from unexplained weakness, but I just thought I was dehydrated. It was our university ball that night; I burned myself on my hair curlers and fell down the stairs – I wasn’t in a fit state to be going anywhere. In the morning, the weakness was much worse, so I went to A&E. My uncle had had a stroke the year before, so the doctors were quick to get me scanned, but also calm.
I spent the next four months getting back to a version of myself I recognised, when I was hit with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. A tingling in my arm spread through my limbs until I couldn’t control my movements. I was in a lot of pain; I was bed-bound for two months and put on two and a half stone. As a physiotherapy student at Manchester Metropolitan University at the time, I’d met stroke and MS patients who used wheelchairs and catheters– and as a 23-year-old that prospect was horrifying. But the consultant at Leeds general infirmary filled me with such confidence. He said, “This doesn’t mean your life’s over.”
As a physiotherapy student at Manchester Metropolitan University at the time, I’d met stroke and MS patients who used wheelchairs and catheters– and as a 23-year-old that prospect was horrifying.
Sport is what saved me – it was what I put all my energy into. By 2016 I was competing in the Summer Paralympics in Rio. I’ve not had as many relapses as other people, but the relapses I do have are quite severe, so I have a Copaxone injection three times a week. Because I struggle with injecting myself, having an MS nurse to check on me is invaluable. I also have an NHS physiotherapist who sees my full potential. When I first had the stroke, I said, “I’ve got this trial I want to do in 10 weeks – do you think that’s possible?” And she said, “I’m not sure it’s possible, but I’ll try everything in my power to get you there.” I wasn’t just an average patient recovering from a stroke; I was an elite athlete wanting to get back to my level, and she was brilliant at thinking outside the box.
Having an MS nurse to check on me is invaluable. I also have an NHS physiotherapist who sees my full potential.
The NHS is doing a really good job trying to push stem cell treatment forward, which will prevent further relapses and maybe even reverse the effects. I graduate this year and after I’ve finished my life as an athlete, I want to work with people with conditions like mine. Because it’s nice to have somebody who understands.
Kadeena Cox is an MS Society ambassador.
