Sophie’s Story

Sophie Shuttleworth is a Beautician, graphic designer and illustrator from Newport South Wales. Her life changed forever in July 2022 when she was put into an induced coma for three and a half weeks at The Grange University Hospital and was left “fighting for her life.”

Sophie was diagnosed and treated for viral meningitis. When Sophie came out of the coma she was paralysed and unable to speak due to the tracheostomy. After her 3 months in ITU, she was finally well enough to start her rehab journey at the University Hospital Llandough Spinal Center where she spent 9 months regaining her hand and arm function and learning to use a wheelchair as she was still paralysed from the chest down (T4 complete). 

Since having private rehab at Morrello, Sophie has regained some core and back muscles enabling her to be much more independent and now that she is home in her fully adapted apartment, she is able to restart her life as a wheelchair user. Continuing rehabilitation and getting back into her hobbies which include Swimming, Illustrating, Photography and attending many gigs with friends.

Already having Osteopenia (loss of bone density) from not weight bearing through her legs for over 2 years, the Exomotus helps Sophie retain bone density. It also helps her massively with circulation and water retention as the Exo simulates a natural walking pattern, pumping blood around her body and making organs work better.

Sophie says, ‘As you can imagine, my mental health has taken a nosedive since my spinal cord injury but my drive, motivation and positive personality have powered through and the use of the ExoMotus really helps me to keep in high spirits. It’s the closest thing to walking that I have experienced in over 2 years and as a fit and active swimmer prior to meningitis, it has been incredible to be able to have access to the ExoMotus.’

Watch Sophie’s story below:

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