At Askham Rehab, every rehabilitation journey is personal and often, truly inspiring. One such journey is that of Luke Woods, a father whose life changed dramatically after being diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare spinal cord condition.

From being non-weight-bearing and fully dependent, to regaining the independence to re-join family life and plan for the future, Luke’s story is a testament to the power of determination, expert care, and pioneering rehabilitation.

Facing the challenges of Transverse Myelitis

When Luke first arrived at Askham Rehab in the summer of 2024, he faced severe mobility limitations, loss of bladder and bowel control, and the challenges of adjusting to life in a non-adapted home with young children.

Daily life required full assistance, and the road ahead seemed daunting. Yet with a clear goal – to rebuild independence and return to family life – Luke began his rehabilitation journey with the support of our interdisciplinary team.

A holistic, interdisciplinary approach

At Askham Rehab, no therapy works in isolation. Luke’s programme was built around the collaboration of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, nurses, and medical specialists. Together, they set shared goals that addressed every aspect of his recovery:

• Mobility and function: from core strengthening and wheelchair mobility to hydrotherapy and advanced technologies like Omego CPM and Pablo + Tymo for balance and upper limb rehabilitation

• Daily living and independence: personal care, transfers, meal preparation, and household tasks practised in our independent living flat, with nursing support for bladder and bowel management.

• Emotional wellbeing: continuous monitoring and support to ensure resilience, motivation, and psychological balance throughout his rehabilitation

• Community reintegration: practising navigation outdoors, preparing for accessible transport, and planning for a move to an adapted home

Overcoming setbacks with resilience

Luke’s journey was not without challenges. A sacral abscess required strict bed rest and a temporary pause in therapy. Yet with the expertise of our nursing team and his own determination, he recovered and returned to therapy with renewed focus.

This resilience, paired with the unwavering support of the team, ensured that progress continued steadily.

Achievements and milestones

By early 2025, Luke had reached remarkable milestones, including:

• Independently self-propelling his wheelchair outdoors

• Managing bladder and bowel care with minimal assistance.

• Transferring in and out of a vehicle on his own

• Performing floor recovery techniques to safely play with his children.

• Preparing for his transition into an adapted home with his family