Leeds Student Fights To Walk Again.

31 January 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A Leeds student, who was paralysed from the chest down after an accident on holiday, says he is determined to walk again and make it to the Rio Paralympics.

20 year old Callum Hall was studying sports at Northumbria University when he went on holiday to Greece in September 2012. After jumping into the sea in Greece he got a urchin stuck to his foot, which then caused a very rare abscess

Below is his story in his own words.

"I am Callum Hall and until recently I was an extremely fit and healthy 20 year old. In late September 2012 I was diagnosed with having a rare infection called an epidural abscess on my spine at level T6 ( in between my shoulder blades).

This abscess burst and damaged my spinal cord causing me to be paralysed from the chest down. I underwent life-saving surgery in Leeds General infirmary, which removed the abscess and have been undergoing treatment to remove the rest of the infection from my spinal cord however the paralysis still remains.

Since early December 2012 I have been able to wiggle a few toes and I am beginning to move my abdominal muscles. I have accepted the process is going to take time but I am determined to prove the Doctors wrong who said I have a small chance of being able to walk again. However, to do this I need equipment not found in hospitals and top of the range wheelchairs to use while training in Sports and potentially being involved in Rio 2016 Paralympics (well, I may as well help out team GB while I’m able to).

I need a piece of equipment called an “Easy Stand” which helps me stand on my feet and aims to connect the brain back to the legs. Another piece of equipment I need is an FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) bike, which helps to get my leg muscles working again.

My aim is to raise as much money as possible for continuing physio, equipment and care. The reason for the urgency is that I am predicted up to a year and a half of recovery time from a spinal cord injury. There is still time and hope…but I will need financial help in order to get the right equipment, physio and resources I need to walk.

Please get in touch to help with any fundraising, donations, or information regarding any other equipment that might help get me back on my feet and walking!!”

Hear Capitals full interview with Callum here

Callum Hall - Teenager Fighting To Walk Again

You can donate by going to his webpage www.callumhalltrust.com

You can also email him on cjjhtrust@hotmail.com