Team Owen-Raising Funds for Life Changing Injury

To our knowledge there are only two known cases in the world of what has happened to Owen.

Owen spent the summer inter-railing with his best pals, and returned home all set to get fit for a new career ahead of him. One weekend he was playing badminton, the next he was lying in a bed in Aberdeen hospital after collapsing at home. He was paralysed. Medical teams consulted with other hospitals, to try and identify what had happened to this fit healthy 20 year old lad.

He was transferred to the National Spinal Unit in Glasgow where he was diagnosed with a complete spinal injury caused by a spinal bleed at T10, a rare complication of an underlying health condition he was born with. He was told to prepare for life in a wheelchair.

There was also no reassurance that he would not have a further spinal bleed and if higher up, the impact would be far greater on his mobility.

Owen took the news with a defiance and determination like no other. Miraculously, so too did his body. He made the slightest movement of his toe. Now there was hope. He was enrolled into a research trial and underwent intensive daily physio and learnt many new skills, all with a smile on his face, never once complaining.

Owen’s Mum Kathryn, thanks to the kindness of so many people, particularly Irene and Evie managed to stay by his side in hospital. His Dad, Keith and sisters Niamh and Ciara at home all struggled being apart from one another and feeling so helpless at such a distance.

Finally, on 15th December 2023 after nearly four months, he was discharged home. After incredible determination and perseverance Owen is continuing to make progress and defy the odds.

Now he is home, he is awaiting his rehabilitation plan. We want to enable him to access as much private physiotherapy as he needs. After a spinal injury, there is a two year window to see how much he can further progress.

The way Owen has coped with this life changing injury has inspired us all. Many people have kindly asked what they can to do to help, so we have created this GoFundMe page; to meet his physiotherapy needs, home adaptation such as enabling Owen to access the garden; and importantly to afford Owen opportunities to help him live his best life.

Thanks a million for supporting Owen if you can, any donation big or small is much appreciated.