A local mum who was left completely paralysed by a rare neurological condition has praised the NHS Forth Valley teams who helped her regain her independence and return home to her daughter.
Lynsey Macdonald, 42, from Denny, became critically ill after developing Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. Within hours of first feeling unwell, Lynsey had become paralysed and required intensive care treatment, spending three months in ICU, including two weeks in a coma.
After intensive care, Lynsey was transferred to the Specialist Rehabilitation Unit at the Bellfield Centre in Stirling Health and Care Village. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, dietitians and rehabilitation assistants, she began rebuilding her independence one step at a time.
Starting with simple goals such as brushing her teeth, feeding herself and doing her own hair, Lynsey gradually progressed to bigger milestones. The woman who arrived at the Bellfield Centre on a stretcher eventually walked out of the unit.
Reflecting on her recovery, Lynsey said: “The team helped me become independent again. They helped me get home to my daughter. They helped me get my life back.”
Professor Paul Cameron, Director of Allied Health Professionals at NHS Forth Valley, said: “We are delighted to receive such positive feedback from Lynsey on the care and support she received from staff in the Specialist Rehabilitation Unit at the Bellfield Centre in Stirling.
“As a physiotherapist, I recognise the importance of high-quality rehabilitation services and see first-hand the difference these can make to the lives of people of all ages. We are very proud of the services and support we provide in NHS Forth Valley and it’s great to hear how much these services are valued by local patients and their families.”
Senior Charge Nurse, Craig Finlayson and AHP Team Leader, Linda Stevenson who supported Lynsey through her recovery at the Specialist Rehabilitation Unit at the Bellfield Centre, said: “The NHS Forth Valley Specialist Rehabilitation Service is a nurse and Allied Health Professional led rehabilitation unit providing specialist care for patients with complex rehabilitation needs. We frequently work with people who have sustained life changing injuries, as well as those living with a wide range of neurological conditions.
“We are delighted to be able to offer the population of Forth Valley such a person-centred, goal focussed rehab service. Lynsey’s journey is a great example of the difference rehabilitation can make in giving life back, optimising function and adding life to years. It was a real privilege to share that journey with her.”
