Latest news with #lockedInSyndrome
ABC News
06-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Clay Daly to push father with locked-in syndrome through Gold Coast Marathon
When Clay Daly's father suffered a massive stroke, a lot of things went through the 23-year-old's mind, but none of them involved a long-distance running race. "He was unable to move, unable to talk," Clay said. "We were told he was going to pass away." The medical emergency in December 2023 left Clay's father, Mark, with locked-in syndrome — a neurological condition that leaves people physically paralysed but otherwise aware and conscious. "Everything looks very, very different now in life and around home," Clay said. The pair has found a new goal and purpose by running the Gold Coast Marathon alongside 39,000 other competitors. "A marathon itself is a massive ordeal, but while pushing someone in a wheelchair as well — my dad is a big man," Clay said. "He's over six foot [1.8 metres] and over 100 kilos, so it's a lot to push." Clay said they expected to finish Sunday's marathon in around four hours, after preparing for the 42-kilometre feat in just six weeks. "We originally did it just to start running, get out of the house. Get some sun and fresh air," he said. They even modified a specialised wheelchair for the marathon. "Along the race, I'm going to have to get my family to meet us at certain points for his food and medication," Clay said. Strokes are the leading cause of disability in Australia, but around 80 per cent of them can be prevented according to the Stroke Foundation. Risk factors include high blood pressure and cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and heart conditions that affect blood flow. Clay said he wanted to raise awareness and funds for stroke survivors and their families, and remind people of "the simple pleasures of life". "My dad hasn't been able to eat food, he has to get fed through a feeding tube now," Clay said. "We haven't had a proper normal conversation in 18 months like we used to be able to." The marathon also represents a chance for Clay to connect with his dad on a new level. "It was something I wanted to do to honour my dad, honour his strength and the pain and suffering that he's been through," Clay said. "I wanted to fill those boots and take care of him like he has for me all these years."
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Man in his 20s went for simple neck adjustment at chiropractor and ended up with LOCKED-IN syndrome
A man in his 20s suffered a series of strokes after a visit to his chiropractor - but they were missed by hospital doctors and he ended up with locked-in syndrome. Jonathan Buckelew, now 34, suffered a life-altering emergency on October 26, 2015, when he was rushed to a Georgia hospital after he seized and became unresponsive during a chiropractic neck adjustment, according to court documents. Buckelew was sent to North Fulton Hospital, which has since been renamed, where his brain stem stroke went undiagnosed for a day. The delay left him with locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological condition that leaves the patient completely paralyzed except for their eyes. Those with the nightmarish condition are aware of their surroundings and can typically hear, but have no way of moving or communicating. Buckelew sued the chiropractor, the hospital, Dr. Matthew Womack, radiologist James Waldschmidt, and the on-call neurologist Christopher Nickum. A Fulton County state court found that Womack and Waldschmidt failed to diagnose Buckelew, and he was awarded an unprecedented $75 million in damages. The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the decision in March, slapping Womack with a $40 million medical malpractice verdict. Buckelew was granted $9 million in past medical expenses, $20 million in future expenses, and $46 million for pain and suffering, according to court documents. 'This case is heartbreaking because Jonathan's paralysis and brain damage were completely avoidable,' Buckelew's attorney, Lloyd Bell, said after the jury ruled in their favor. 'If the slew of healthcare providers involved in Jonathan's care would have acted according to the standard of care, caught and treated his stroke earlier, and communicated more effectively, Jonathan's life would look entirely different.' Buckelew's life is now completely unrecognizable from before the incident. He was active and played sports, but is now unable to move or speak. 'I really feel like there's no real justice for somebody who lost every aspect of his life,' his father, Jack, told CBS affiliate Atlanta News First. Jack told the outlet that he and his wife, Janice, have had to completely transform their home to accommodate their son's needs. He said they made their home into 'an ICU' and keep at least two months worth of medical supplies on hand. Jack said his family 'feels a lot of pain' after their son's life was halted by the debilitating condition. 'He (Jonathan} wants to do things, he wants to go places - it just breaks our heart to see him like he is,' Jack said, adding that his son's spirit keeps him going. 'There are some days where he's like "pull the plug," so those are the tough days.' Buckelew can't speak with his family, but he communicates by blinking or using his nose his to type on a keypad. Bell argued that Buckelew's circumstances were due to the hospital staff's inability to follow procedure. 'The ER doctor saw this patient was having all these signs and symptoms of stroke and never called a stroke alert, and they had policies in place that they were supposed to follow certain protocols to reach the correct diagnosis, and they didn't follow their policies and procedures.' Womack's appeal was denied by a Georgia court of appeals, but he has appealed again to the state's Supreme Court. Waldschmidt also filed an appeal but later withdrew.
