Grandfather Triumphs Over Paralysis to Rediscover Cycling
Imagine waking up one night and realizing you cannot move a single part of your body. That terrifying moment became a reality for 69-year-old Nick Ashdown from East Yorkshire. A retired business analyst and avid cyclist, Nick had spent his early 50s embracing an active lifestyle, cycling hundreds of miles every week alongside his wife Cheryl. Together, they had conquered incredible challenges, from coast-to-coast rides to journeys from Land’s End to John O’Groats and even Scotland’s North Coast 500. But on February 19, 2023, during his son Joe’s stag weekend, everything changed in an instant.
Nick had gotten up in the night to use the bathroom at a lodge when he collapsed. The next thing he remembers is waking on the bathroom floor, completely paralysed. “I couldn’t move anything,” he recalled, calling it the scariest moment of his life. Paramedics rushed him to Hull Royal Infirmary, where scans revealed a severe spinal injury affecting the C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae. The doctors warned him that he faced a real possibility of permanent paralysis from the neck down. Despite the grim prognosis, Nick remained cautiously optimistic. The first tiny sign of recovery—a finger he could move—brought tears to his wife Cheryl’s eyes, marking the beginning of a challenging journey back to independence.
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Nick spent two months at Hull Royal Infirmary under close observation. Although he was offered elective surgery to improve his chances of recovery, he decided against it due to the risks involved, including possible voice changes. Instead, he embarked on an intensive course of physiotherapy. By mid-April 2023, he was transferred to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, one of the UK’s top spinal injury centers, where his rehabilitation continued. Nick faced extreme muscle loss, dropping nearly 20 kilograms, and initially struggled to even recognize himself in the mirror. The recovery process was painstakingly slow, starting with learning to sit up on the edge of the bed and gradually rebuilding his strength.
Despite the grueling therapy, Nick’s determination never wavered. After months of consistent physiotherapy and support from his dedicated team, he achieved the incredible milestone of walking again by the time he was discharged in October 2023. His physiotherapists admitted that they had initially doubted he would regain such mobility. At home, he continued with weekly physiotherapy and gym sessions, steadily regaining his strength and independence.
In March 2025, Nick found a new way to return to his beloved cycling: an electric adult tricycle from Jorvik Tricycles in York. This three-wheeled bike allowed him to ride safely while rebuilding strength and stability. So far, he has enjoyed rides of up to 25 miles with Cheryl, relishing the freedom and independence it brings. Looking ahead, Nick remains determined to ride a traditional bike again and to stay active with his grandchildren. His journey is a remarkable testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of passion in overcoming life’s toughest challenges.
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