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0:00:24 > 0:00:28- I'll never forget - that night three years ago...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- ..when all our lives - changed overnight.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36- One minute we were happy - and enjoying our lives...
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- ..and the next minute, we were back - and forth to doctors and hospitals.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- Life was full of uncertainty.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- I became paralysed - from the chest down overnight...
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- ..by a condition called - transverse myelitis.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- Transverse myelitis - is a rare condition...
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- ..which can affect anyone - at any point in their lives.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- Symptoms manifest - within a matter of hours.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- In more serious cases, - people are completely paralysed.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- The children were - two, four and six when it happened.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- To be honest, - my life as a busy mother...
0:01:16 > 0:01:20- ..didn't allow me to sit in the - corner feeling sorry for myself.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- I have no choice. - I have to get up and go.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- We've been - hurled into this situation...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- ..and it's up to us - how we deal with it.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35- Time goes by too quickly - to wait for things to change.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- I'm determined - to live life to the full...
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- ..for the sake of the children, - Owain and all the family.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- I saw a poster once...
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- ..which gave me - the kick up the backside I needed.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- It said, "Don't wait - for the storm to subside...
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- "..learn to dance in the rain."
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- I've been in the wheelchair - for three years.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- I became paralysed - from the chest down overnight...
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- ..by a condition - called transverse myelitis.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- Come with me in the lift, Nansi.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- When I was admitted to hospital, - the children were very young.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- Nansi was two, Lisa was four - and Mari was six.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- The time I spent in hospital - away from the children...
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- ..was the hardest...
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- ..and most painful experience - of my life.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- It hasn't - embittered me because of it.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- No-one's to blame.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- This is my path in life.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- Don't lick me!
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- My legs might not work but I can - still be there for the children.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- I want to make the most of life.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- I can't see where I'm going, Nansi.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- Get out of the way.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- I've been born and raised - in Abercegir.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- It's my family's farm.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- I've always worked here - with my father.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Fflur came here to live - after we got married.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- Fflur is very much at home - and comfortable here.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- At college - I became friendly with Sara...
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- ..a cousin of Owain's.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- She invited me to Machynlleth.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- It was then that I met Owain - for the first time.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09- It must've been a year before we - started going out with one another.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Once we started, - there was no stopping us!
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Fflur and I got married in 2001...
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- ..on the hottest day of the year - down in Aberystwyth.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- The wedding reception - was held at The Marine...
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- ..in Fflur's seaside home.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- It was a wonderful day.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- We've led very busy - and full lives since then.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- We have three daughters.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- I'm surrounded by females...
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- ..and there's pink everywhere here!
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- But I'm coping.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- One minute we were happy - and enjoying ourselves...
0:04:56 > 0:05:01- ..and the next minute, our lives - were suddenly turned upside down.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05- We had a busy holiday in Eurodisney.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- We spent three days at the park...
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- ..and crammed in as much as we could - in a short space of time.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- We went on to Paris after that.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- That night...
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- ..I wasn't feeling 100% - on the journey home.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- I thought it was the after effects - of the flu I'd caught...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- ..before the holiday.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- We arrived home...
0:05:33 > 0:05:37- ..but I couldn't settle - because I had pain in my back.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- It felt very unnatural...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- ..so I woke up Owain.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- It must've been - around midnight by this time.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- We came downstairs...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- ..and the pain in my back - was intense by now.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- When we turned up, - Fflur came down the stairs...
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- ..and said she was - losing sensation in her legs.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- The numbness was rising up her legs.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- We said it was probably the pain - causing numbness down her legs.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- She said, "No, it's rising."
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- By the time the paramedics arrived, - she was numb from her armpits down.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- I couldn't understand why - I couldn't walk to the ambulance.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- That's when I realized...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- ..it was far more serious - than I initially thought.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- I received a phone call - at four in the morning.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Fflur had just reached Aberystwyth.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- I rushed to the hospital - straightaway.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48- They said they weren't entirely - sure what was wrong with Fflur.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- She was rushed to intensive care...
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- ..before being flown to Cardiff.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- I wasn't sure what to expect.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- We went to Cardiff to see her.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- When we left the hospital...
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- ..and were travelling home - through Merthyr...
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- ..we still had tears in our eyes.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- It was a long journey home, - let me tell you.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- A very long journey.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- I can't imagine - what it was like for Mam and Dad.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32- As Fflur's brother, it was difficult - seeing her in hospital for so long.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- The hardest thing was not knowing - what was wrong with her.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- The extent of the situation - hadn't fully hit me...
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- ..because I thought - the symptoms were temporary.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- It must've taken about six weeks...
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- ..for me to realize - the severity of my condition.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Transverse myelitis - is a rare condition...
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- ..affecting - around 300 people a year...
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- ..and around 20 each year in Wales.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- It usually affects young people - in their teens or their 30s.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- It's a neurological condition...
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- ..affecting the spinal cord...
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- ..that causes inflammation.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- The spinal cord is vital for - relaying messages from the brain...
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- ..to the legs, and sensations from - the legs and hands to the brain.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- Anything that affects - the spinal cord...
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- ..results in numbness - in the legs and hands.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- In severe cases, - people become completely paralysed.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Here's your scan, Fflur.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- This is your spinal cord.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- Notice the swelling - in the affected area.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- It indicates - where inflammation has occurred.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01- A large area of the spinal cord - has been affected.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- That's why the messages can't - be transmitted from the brain...
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- ..to the nerves in the legs.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- What's interesting - about cases like Fflur's...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- ..is that a fortnight - before the onset of symptoms...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..the patient has suffered - a sore throat or flu.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- We believe the person's immune - system, for whatever reason...
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- ..loses control and attacks - healthy areas of the body.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- In Fflur's case, the spinal cord.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- I'm just going to check - your reflexes.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- I've never seen them - respond like that before.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- They're responding to the reflex.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- It's common in patients - with spinal cord injuries.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Although I've encountered - transverse myelitis before...
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- ..I've never seen a patient - as severely affected as Fflur.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- When I was - first admitted to hospital...
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- ..there was no reflex, no feeling, - no sensation whatsoever.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- In the beginning, - I documented every minor change.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- Every minor change indicated - I was on the road to recovery.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- But over time...
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- ..the minor changes - became fewer and far between.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- What about that?
0:10:26 > 0:10:27- No.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- No.- - Nothing at all?
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- There are factors - which affect the prognosis.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- If symptoms develop very rapidly...
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- ..if you're completely paralysed...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- ..or if the condition doesn't - improve within a few months...
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- ..the prognosis isn't favourable.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- However, - it varies from person to person.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- Some people can still feel - their legs and are able to use them.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Those patients tend to respond well - to steroid treatment.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- A third of patients don't respond - as favourably to steroid treatment.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- They're still reliant on - a wheelchair for years afterwards.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- There are times...
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- ..when I could just throw something.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- I think, "Why aren't I improving?
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- "It's my turn now - to get up and walk."
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0:11:53 > 0:11:56- I've been in the wheelchair - for three years.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- There's no point - being bitter about it.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- Like the children say, - my legs might not work...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..but I'm still - the same person at heart.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- I still enjoy the same things - and I try my best to do them.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Wheelchair coming! - Wheelchair coming!
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Life's busy...
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- ..at the best of times.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- There's no point - feeling sorry for ourselves.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Feeling sad helps no-one.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- We have to be strong and carry on.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- Life goes on.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- Having to give up work - greatly affected the children.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- They wanted me to go back to work - because that was normality for them.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- I can do it myself.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- Damn!
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- The biggest difference, - for me personally...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- ..is the loss of freedom.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Fflur needs lifts to places - and needs help.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- I have to be around a lot more...
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- ..to help her in everyday life.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- We certainly - spend more time together...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- ..and we value that time.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- # Mr Quiet am I, am I, hush, hush #
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- We're going to revise - numbers one to 10...
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- ..like you'd sing - with the children in school.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47- Alright? Ready?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- # One finger, two fingers, - three fingers dancing #
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- I decided I didn't want to go back - to teaching primary children.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- A friend of mine who's learnt Welsh - suggested I teach adults.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- # 10 fingers happily dancing #
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- I can utilize the skills I've learnt - as a teacher and feel useful.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- I'll let you have that one. - I won't take that.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- Understandably, there are times - when I get depressed.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- You can't live - with a situation like this...
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- ..without feeling frustrated.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- Often there are times - when I feel like crying...
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- ..or shouting or cursing.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- But in terms of the big problems...
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- ..I think we deal - very well with them.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- It's the small things - that affect me more.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- Things like walking down the street - on two different levels.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- I have to push Fflur - instead of walking side by side.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- It's the little things - that get to me.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- I've gone from being - so independent beforehand...
0:15:04 > 0:15:10- ..to having to ask for help - - help to reach things...
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- ..or to do the simplest things.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- That's what's difficult.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- The children have had to grow up.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29- They've certainly - had to learn to be more independent.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- But that's not such a bad thing.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- It's character building.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- We're lucky we had the children - before it happened.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- They've kept our lives, - especially Fflur's life, busy.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- We do all we can to make sure - they don't lose out in any way.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- I'd share... I'd share a hat...
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- ..with Bleddyn.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- I've been lucky to have had - the help of family and friends.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- There's milk there.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- One Glesni's more than enough!
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Not a day goes by - without them being in contact...
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- ..or offering their help or support, - if they can't be here in person.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- That's been invaluable. - You can't put a price on that.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- They lock out a bit more then, - don't they? They're more stiff.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- Rachel has been coming to see me - for a few months now.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- She comes twice a week - for an hour and a half.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- I enjoy her company, - but at the same time...
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- ..she makes sure - I keep doing my exercises.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- I know what to do but it's difficult - doing it on your own.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Occasionally the question arises.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- "What if she doesn't get better?"
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- That's not an option.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- We're full of hope and faith.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- That's what keeps us going.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- One, two, three.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- If there's anything we can do - to speed up her recovery....
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- ..then we'll do it.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- They told me that one person - in three makes a full recovery.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35- One in every three makes a recovery - with lasting effects...
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- ..and there's one in every three - who doesn't recover.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- It's hard for me to believe - that I'm that one person...
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- ..because we don't know - what's around the corner.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Lengthy research - is being carried out...
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- ..into new treatments...
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- ..one of which is stem-cell therapy.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- Stem cells are cultivated...
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- ..so that they develop - into any cell in the body.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- In this case, - a cell in the nervous system.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- It's hoped that if those cells...
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- ..are transplanted - into the damaged area...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- ..they will make new associations...
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- ..and help cure some of the symptoms - caused by transverse myelitis.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- I haven't done that in a while.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- She's incredibly strong.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- And I'm not talking about muscles!
0:18:29 > 0:18:34- She's mentally strong. - You have to believe, don't you?
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- You have to believe - that you're going to get better...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- ..otherwise - you're not going to carry on.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- I firmly believe - she's going to recover...
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- ..and that she'll walk again.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05- We try everything. Fflur's - been to France, Spain and Cambridge.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10- Advances in science mean that - new treatments are being developed.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- We're hoping for the best.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- Today I'm going to Neurokinex - in Watford.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- It's a pioneering centre...
0:19:30 > 0:19:35- ..specialising in exercise - for those with spinal cord damage.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- They do incredible work here.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- There you go.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- Oh, that's good. - That's a nice feeling.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49- OK?
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- OK?- - Yeah.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- 30 seconds.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- 30 seconds.- - So this is reminding the legs...
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- ..what they should be doing then?
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Yes, repeating the steps - over and over again...
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- ..to try and trigger - the nervous system.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- OK, one minute left.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- Just seeing the work they do - and the positive energy in here...
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- ..is a huge boost.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- All these things Fflur's trying - lead to her recovery.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- That's all we want. - Any improvement is a huge step.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- I'd love to come here - on a regular basis...
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- ..but these things cost.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Since my injuries - aren't the result of an accident...
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- ..I get no financial help.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- We have to work out - how we're going to manage this...
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- ..because it's essential that - she gets this kind of exercise.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- Look, Owain, I'm doing it by myself.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Owain, Owain, - I'm doing it on my own.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Come on, some encouragement, Owain.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- I haven't - done that on my own before.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- I certainly miss the life we had...
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- ..and the freedom that came with it.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- But she's got this condition...
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- ..and it's a big part of our lives.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- We've very fortunate.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- The last three years - have changed all our lives.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- It would've been - far more difficult...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- ..if Fflur - wasn't such a strong person.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- She talks as if nothing's changed.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- We're lucky she's like that.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- She's incredible. - She's one heck of a woman.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- That's all I can say.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- # Happy birthday to you #
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- Hooray!
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- Hip-hip hooray!
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- Hip-hip hooray!
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- Yay!
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- We're fortunate.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- There are people out there...
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- ..much worse off than us.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Miracles happen.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- One, two, three, hooray!
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Hopefully one day - we'll be one of those miracles.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- I don't know - how my story will pan out.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- But I'm hopeful - and I'm confident...
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- ..that someone somewhere - will come up with a solution...
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- ..to repair nerve damage - and the spinal cord...
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- ..so that people like me - can walk again.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- I'm not prepared to rest - on my laurels and take a back seat.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- I want to live life to the full...
0:23:28 > 0:23:32- ..and do whatever I can - to make my life worthwhile.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59- .