Not even a global pandemic will stop Scarborough’s Liam Critchett from walking again

This year has seen 25-year-old Liam Critchett from Newby – who spent over a decade in a wheelchair after suffering spinal cancer – defying doctors by taking his first steps unaided.
Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.
Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.

But when coronavirus hit, his intensive training at Flex Health in Hull had to stop and he was advised to shield for almost six months.

Also struck were his fundraising efforts which pay for the three-weekly spinal neurological physiotherapy that he needs.

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Desperate not to let circumstances set him back, Liam tried to continue what training he could while also working from home as a tendering engineer for Schneider Electric, in Cayton Low Road.

Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.
Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.

Amazingly, he has managed to maintain his strength but he said his stamina has inevitably declined.

Without a professional to stretch out his muscles and carry out soft tissue massage, he has also found his body tightening up.

He has been back training since September and is eager for 2021 to bring further improvements to his recovery.

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“My aim for 2021 is to improve my pace with two sticks and see where I can get to,” he said.

Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.
Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.

“Going back to training in September was one of the first times I had been out since March.

“I was on edge about it but I wanted to get back to it.

“I’d been able to keep up my strength but I had lost a lot of my stamina. I was drained just driving to Hull.”

Liam was diagnosed with spinal cancer when he was 11.

Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.
Liam Critchett has defied doctors by taking his first steps unaided.

He was wheelchair-bound throughout his school years and spent the majority of his youth in hospital undergoing dozens of operations.

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As well as surgeries to reduce the size of the tumour, he had spinal rods which had to be refitted every six months as he continued to grow and have his spine fused.

He was dealt a further blow in January 2018 when he was told his cancer had returned.

With the support of his family and friends, he battled through and has been working to learn to walk again since.

His trainers are using pioneering technology aimed at training his neurological pathways to give him some feeling back in his feet

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Having been able to take his first steps, he is now working to improve his speed and technique.

Liam thanked all those that have supported his journey by contributing to his fundraising so far.

“I want to thank the people who have donated so far.

“It’s helped massively and I really appreciate it,” he said.

To support Liam’s training, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/liam-critchett.

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