Greenwich teen who feared she’d never walk again abseils down St Thomas’ Hospital

A teenager who was left paralysed due to a rare condition took on a daring challenge to thank the hospital which led her towards a full recovery.

Alex Jeffery, 18, from Charlton Lane, Greenwich, abseiled 160ft down St Thomas’ Hospital to raise money for Evelina London.

She was inspired to take on the charity challenge after receiving life-saving treatment at the hospital for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). The condition affects the brain and spinal cord and caused Alex to lose movement in her lower body.

She was transferred to Evelina London from her local hospital in February 2018 after becoming seriously unwell and ended up spending four weeks there.

Alex said: “When I was 13 I became ill very quickly with a severe headache, stabbing pains in my spine and extreme fatigue. At the time they thought I was suffering from severe dehydration.

“The next day I couldn’t move my body and I was seeing double. I went back to A&E and I was quickly diagnosed with ADEM.

“It was a very scary time and I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to walk again. After a week at Evelina London I slowly started making progress and tests thankfully showed that there was no permanent damage.”

Alex, who has regained all movement in her lower body and is now able to walk without crutches, said: “I’m so grateful to Evelina London. The hospital saved my life and if it wasn’t for them I may never have been able to walk again.

“Taking on the abseil challenge was my way of saying thank you.”

Alex is captain of the Kent sailing team and recently won the National School Sailing Association President’s Award, which recognises exceptional contribution to youth sailing.

“Doing the abseil was a perfect fit for me as it’s a bit similar to sailing as I sometimes go up the mast and I don’t mind heights,” she said. “The abseil was amazing. I had so much fun and knowing I was raising money for an important cause made it even more special.”

Alex is currently on a gap year and is volunteering with the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Dr Ming Lim, a consultant neurologist at Evelina, said: “Alex has made a remarkable recovery. We are very thankful for her fundraising and we are so pleased that she is doing well and is sailing again.

“ADEM is a very serious condition that can lead to life-changing complications and can even be fatal if it’s not treated in time.”

To donate to Alex’s fundraising, please visit:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alex-jeffery18

Pictured top: Alex on the abseil (Pictures: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust)