BMJ  2005;331:94-97 (9 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7508.94

Clinical review

The patient's journey: Living with locked-in syndrome

¹ Dunedin Hospital and Otago Bioethics Centre, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, PO Box 913, New Zealand

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

This is the story of Nick, who has lived with locked-in syndrome since 2000. His narrative is interspersed with information on his condition and a commentary on the clinical and ethical issues that arise in locked-in syndrome.

Nick's story, in his own words

This is a story of my experiences since a terrible accident. I started the story in hospital and then added to it over the years. I had my accident on the rugby field on 29 July 2000 about 2 00 pm, just before the ball was thrown into a line-out. It just felt like a simple case of concussion (everything went blurry). I staggered to the sideline, the coach asked me "What's wrong"? He said I told him I just felt sick and to put me back on the field in 10 minutes. Then I collapsed and was rushed to hospital (unconscious) in an ambulance with the staff struggling to keep me alive.

. . . [Full text of this article]

The diagnosis

Start of the journey

-->

A slow journey: the early days of recovery

Travelling alone

Losing the path: frustration and loneliness

The courage to be

Travelling companions

Travelling at varying speeds

Change is optional—but the journey does not end here

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• (2007). Reference List for FOCUS Self-Assessment Examination. APPI Online CME 2007: 2-2 [Full text]  
• Phillips, L. H. II (2006). Communicating with the "locked-in" patient: Because you can do it, should you?. Neurology 67: 380-381 [Full text]  
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