'My legs stopped working a week after going numb on a flight'

A mum who experienced "numb" and "unusually heavy" legs during her flight back to the UK ended up in hospital with a rare neurological condition. Manju Pillai, 46, first noticed something was wrong as she returned from a family holiday in Qatar and the Maldives with her husband Ajith and their children Ramaya, 23, and Ashaan, 13.

Despite feeling unwell, she tried to ignore her symptoms so as not to miss her daughter's graduation celebrations. However, just over a week later, while walking her dog, Manju's legs suddenly "stopped working".

The Surrey mum-of-two called 111 and was referred to her GP, who advised her to go to A&E at Epsom Hospital. From there, Manju's condition worsened.

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The numbness spread to her hands and legs, and she began suffering from uncontrollable spasms. When her breathing became compromised, she was intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). Initially, Manju was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome, but extensive testing proved inconclusive – leaving her medical team baffled.

However, she was subsequently diagnosed with 'immune-mediated complex neurological syndrome' - a rare condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own nervous system. Medics successfully treated Manju's initial illness with two courses of antibody therapy but, due to the trauma of her ordeal, the mum also developed Functional Neurological Disorder.

This is a condition that affects the brain and causes the body not to function properly. Consequently, Manju is currently receiving care from specialist teams at St George's University Hospitals, as she awaits surgery.

The mum-of-two says it was "agonising" for her and her family to not know what was wrong with her - but praised hospital staff for their support throughout the ordeal.

She said: "My illness was extremely difficult for my family. Not knowing what was wrong with me, whether I would recover, walk again, or return to any kind of normality, was agonising for all of them.

"I am so grateful to the NHS teams who cared for me with such skill, compassion and determination. Their dedication gave me a second chance at life and my family and I will never forget it.

"To those who cared for me – on behalf of my entire family - thank you from the depths of our hearts. You may see it as simply doing your job, but to us, your care went far beyond that.

"Critical care within the NHS is second to none. [It's] world-class, truly. And the diverse, multicultural team that looked after me stands as a testament to the invaluable contribution of overseas staff. The NHS would not be what it is without you."

During her hospital stay, Manju found solace in the garden and silently vowed to revamp the space once she was back on her feet. True to her word, her business Pillai Tutors has since donated £10,000 to Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity - transforming the garden into a tranquil, green oasis for patients, visitors, and staff to enjoy.

Manju also made a generous donation to the gesh CARE Awards, which honour the hardworking staff and teams across St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh).

She said: "The gesh CARE Awards are a wonderful way for patients, families and the public to recognise the extraordinary staff who go above and beyond every single day. I would encourage everyone who has been touched by the kindness or expertise of an NHS professional to take a moment to nominate them – it means so much for staff to know the difference they've made."

James Blythe, incoming interim chief executive officer for St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: "Manju's words are a powerful reminder of the extraordinary people we have working at gesh and how even the simplest gestures can have a lasting impact on our patients. I'm very proud of the compassion shown by our teams, and would like to thank Manju for sharing her story and wish her well as she continues her recovery."

Molly Simpson, head of Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity, added: "We're proud to support the gesh CARE Awards, which spotlight the very best of our hospitals and the NHS. Like Manju, you can show your appreciation for the incredible teams who've gone above and beyond for you by nominating them for an award – it only takes minutes, but will give our staff a huge boost."

The festivities, entirely sponsored by backers, will unfold in December at the Kia Oval in Kennington. The ceremony will honour all personnel – from clinical frontline workers to vital support staff, including porters, cleaners, and volunteers.

Last year, over 500 employees received nominations for a gesh CARE Award. To submit a nomination, visit the website by Friday, October 3.