'It would be life-changing': How specialised wheelchair could offer 42-year-old stroke victim a second chance

A young stroke victim in Leeds is hoping a specialised wheelchair could offer him a second chance at life.

Andrew (Andy) Mayers was just 42 when he suffered a devastating stroke at his home in Pudsey in March 2022, with doctors predicting he would not survive.

Against all odds, the now 46-year-old father-of-two, has now spent four years in recovery, though he still suffers from paralysis on his right side, limited speech and extreme fatigue - robbing him of his love for exploring the great outdoors.

Desperate, to once again take part in outdoor activities and family adventures that are currently impossible, Andy and his wife, Mel, are crowdfunding for a specialised £20,000 all-terrain wheelchair that would allow Andy to regain a taste of his previous lifestyle.

“It would be life-changing” Mel told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “Due to his mobility issues and his speech, his independence has suffered a lot. Andy has hated the fact he was unable to communicate, he hated the fact he was unable to move or to do the smallest of tasks without help.

“It’s really hard to accept, at the age of 42, that your life is over and you’re never going to get out of this chair. Half his brain is pretty much dead but he’s never given up and has very much been focused on what he can still achieve.”

Andy was at home with his children, Kai and Zosha, when he suffered a sudden left total anterior circulatory stroke, a life-threatening condition where a fluid build-up causes dangerous swelling within the brain. It carries an 80 per cent mortality rate.

He underwent immediate life-saving surgery at Leeds General Infirmary, which saw the removal of a large section of his skull to allow the brain to swell outward rather than being squeezed. He spent several weeks in intensive care, and then eight months in the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

Thanks to private neurological physiotherapy, Andy is now able to walk short distances on flat surfaces but has not regained any movement in his right arm. The 46-year-old also suffers from severe aphasia, a language disorder caused by brain damage that impairs his speech and writing.

Having found mobility scooters and power chairs unsuitable for rough and hilly terrain, Andy had all but given up on regaining his previous lifestyle until he stumbled across a video on Facebook about the self-balancing Hoss chair and saw a chance to regain a little independence.

“We went for a trial session, so Andy had the chance to test it out, see what it could do and it was just wonderful,” Mel said. “He couldn’t stop smiling all the way through. It just went up and down the hills in this park and we didn’t have to wait for him.

“It’s very agile, meaning you can use it indoor, outdoor and it’s fantastic for off road so he can do hills and walks. Unfortunately though with the costs of four years private rehab, plus becoming a one-salary household we are unable to afford the chair without kind help and donations.”

Similar in design to a Segway, the specialised chair offers quick turning circles and excellent off-road capability, making it easier to travel over multiple terrains.

A naturally outdoorsy and adventurous person, Andy served in the Territorial Army, ran his own private security company, and worked at the Winter Olympics in South Korea and Summer Olympics in Tokyo, before the stroke left him dependent on Mel and their wider family.

Having already raised over £8,000 in donations, the family has been blown away by the love and support they have received since launching the GoFundMe. All additional donations will go towards funding the chair and Andy’s ongoing rehab costs.

“He can’t stop smiling, just at the kindness of people,” Mel added. “It has blown our minds the amount that has already been collected.”