When this book landed on the Lovereading desk it was snapped up over 4 consecutive days by 4 different people. Each reader was moved to both tears and laughter and read it virtually in a sitting. It's the story of Kate who, in her 30s having been a keen runner, had a
massive stroke that as far as the doctors were concerned left her all
but dead with no chance of walking, talking or swallowing again, in fact
she had what is now called 'Locked-in Syndrome'. The doctors however hadn't taken into account the strength and determination of Kate. This is truly one of the most life-affirming and moving true stories I've read and is a must read and one to spread the word on to everyone you know. Who knows, at some point in the future this could be you. It will make you reassess your own life and to realise life is truly special and the human spirit will always win through if determined enough, however tough the hill is to climb. Running Free is a moving and inspirational story of survival that celebrates life, friendship and sheer bloody-mindedness.
Running Free : Breaking Out from Locked-in Syndrome Synopsis
Can you imagine being trapped inside your own body? Able to see and hear everything going on around you but unable to move or speak - the blink of an eye your only way of communicating.
Fell-runner and fun-loving mother-of-three Kate Allatt’s life was torn apart when what appeared to be a stress-related headache exploded into a massive brainstem stroke leading to locked-in syndrome. Totally paralysed, she became a prisoner inside her own body. Doctors warned her family she would never walk, talk or swallow or lead a normal life again. But they didn’t know Kate. The words no and never were not in her vocabulary.
With the help of her best friends and family she drew on every ounce of her runner’s stamina and determination to make a recovery that amazed medical experts. Using a letter chart, Kate blinked the words “I will walk again”. Soon she was moving her thumb and communicating with the world via Facebook. Eight months after her stroke, Kate said goodbye to nurses, walked out of hospital and returned home to learn how to run again. This is the story of her incredible journey.
‘Kate’s life was torn apart ... her recovery has been amazing’ Daily Mirror
'Amazing and inspirational' Jeremy Vine - BBC Radio 2 presenter
Author
About Kate Allatt, Alison Stokes
Kate Allatt is a 40-year-old mother of three and a keen fell runner. She lives in Sheffield with her husband Mark and three children India, 11, Harvey, 10 and Woody, 6. Before her stroke she ran her own digital marketing company and was preparing an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
