Young mother confident she will walk again

Montpelier, Manchester:

Imagine finding out that you will be bringing new life into this world, only to find out after giving birth that you, quite possibly, may never walk again?

This is the shocking news that 28-year-old Saschaine Crawford heard after picking up a viral infection in 2014.

Crawford said that one day, she experienced an excruciating pain in her chest and back, but having suffered from muscle spasm for years, she thought she was just having an episode.

"I went to the doctor two weeks after having the baby and everything was OK. But when I realised the pain was getting worse, I went back to the doctor. By the time I got to the doctor, I couldn't walk - I had to be wheeled into the office."

Blood tests revealed that she had chik V (Chikungunya) and two types of dengue.

"I left the doctor's office walking and everything, but a week later everything got worse. I took the medication the doctor had prescribed and drank orange juice as he recommended. But while feeding the baby one day, I felt this terrible pain again. I got up out of the chair and sat on the bed," she recounted.

Shortly after, Crawford lost all sensation in her legs, and from her waist down and an intermittent loss of sensation from her neck down.

"I was rushed to the Mandeville Hospital and even then, I didn't really think it was that serious. People kept asking me if I wanted to urinate, but I really couldn't feel anything. The doctors kept sticking me, asking me if I could feel it, but I couldn't."

The young mother said it was after receiving intravenous fluid and a urine bag that she realised that this was more serious than she had thought.

"I was sent to do an MRI, and the results came back showing that my spinal cord was swollen and badly inflamed. I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis. I was told it was brought on by the dengue and the fact that my immune system was weakened after giving birth. But up to that point, the doctors weren't entirely sure. I was admitted for six weeks in hospital and was treated with a lot of steroids," she said.

Pushing On

Crawford, who worked as a customer service representative and studied hospitality and tourism management at Knox Community College, said that she is pushing on despite her odds.

"Everybody's recovery process is different. Some walk, some barely don't, and some never recover. I can only wait and see, take my medication and do physical therapy every week. I have visited several specialists, including neurologists. In the past, I had to take 25 pills for the day and injections twice per day to prevent blood clotting. That was very hard and depressing, knowing this isn't the way you were born, and having a baby that you can't do certain things with, and you have to rely on other people to do it, but I am grateful."

Crawford said that she could not have managed without the support of her family and friends.

"My mommy helps me out a lot and helps out with my son a lot. My son is four years old and I think he understands a little of what is happening. Sometimes you will hear him say, 'My mommy foot is sick, but she soon walk'. He has become very attached to me and he is very helpful and concerned - passing my medication to me and always asking if I'm OK. He inspires me to go on."

Crawford said that most persons will see her and think she isn't sick because of how well she maintains her image, but she said that this is something she has to do, as dwelling on her sickness and looking sick will further depress her.

She revealed that she is now able to bathe and dress herself, move from her bed to her chair and to the floor and help out around the house, having received a little life in her limbs.

"I want people out there to know that even though it is hard and frustrating, it is important not to give up because once there is life, there is hope and being alive is the greatest gift. Whenever I go to the doctor and I get bad news, I may cry at first and question why all of this is happening to me, but I never ever accept the negative. I know that God is a Healer. He is able and there is absolutely nothing too hard for Him to do."

The young mother says she knows for sure that she will walk again and she knows that she will be able to accomplish her desires.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com