A man who was left totally paralyzed after developing locked-in syndrome has written a 50,000-word book using only his eyes.
Howard Wicks, from Dartmouth in Devon, was effectively trapped in his body, unable to move independently or fully communicate after suffering a devastating stroke as a teenager in 2011.
Wicks, now 29, can think, see and feel, but cannot eat, speak or move any part of his body apart from his eyes.
The rare neurological disease, locked-in syndrome, has made any physical activity or work “impossible,” he said, and prevents him from communicating normally.
But using an Eyegaze computer, a machine that tracks your eye movements, Wicks has amazingly written a novel over the course of 18 months.
Howard Wicks, from Dartmouth in Devon, was effectively trapped in his body, unable to move independently or fully communicate after suffering a devastating stroke as a teenager in 2011.
Wicks, now 29, can think, see and feel, but cannot eat, speak or move any part of his body except his eyes. The rare neurological disease, locked-in syndrome, has made any physical activity or work “impossible,” he said, and has prevented him from communicating normally.
He described the writing process as “a cathartic experience.”
“I enjoyed writing it, especially the parts that I personally enjoyed experiencing,” he said via Eyegaze software.
“However, it soon became a source of stress as I felt I couldn’t really enjoy myself until I finished the book.”
He told the BBC: “The opening chapter introduces the reader to my life before the stroke, allowing them to understand who I was.”
‘The book concludes with my transition from the hospital environment to community life. The series spans from the age of 16 to the present day.’
It is estimated that up to 300 Britons and fewer than 1,000 Americans live with locked-in syndrome.
Stroke is one of the causes: 100,000 people in the UK and 800,000 in the US suffer from this medical emergency each year.
But less than 1 per cent of stroke victims develop locked-in syndrome, according to the Stroke Association charity.
Locked-in syndrome is caused by damage to the brain stem, which contains nerves that transmit information to other parts of the body.
This type of damage usually occurs due to a lack of blood flow or bleeding after severe physical trauma.
It is estimated that up to 300 Britons and fewer than 1,000 Americans live with locked-in syndrome. Stroke is one of the causes: 100,000 people in the UK and 800,000 in the US suffer from this medical emergency each year.
Wicks hopes her book will raise awareness of her charity, Locked In Trust, dedicated to supporting others suffering from the condition. Pictured is Wicks after his stroke in 2011.
Locked-in syndrome exists on a scale where some patients can move more parts of their body than others. However, there is currently no cure for the condition.
Many patients are confined to their beds, need constant care and can only breathe, eat and drink through special medical tubes.
Instead, treatment focuses on helping develop whatever small voluntary actions are available to the patient, such as moving the fingers, swallowing, and making sounds.
Mr. Wicks He hopes his book will raise awareness of his charity, Locked In Trust, dedicated to supporting others suffering from the disease.
He said: ‘I founded this charity four years ago but it hasn’t achieved the reach or impact it needs.
“This was another motivation behind completing the book: to push the charity to the forefront of society.”
He also hopes that this first novel will be part of a trilogy.
“From the moment I learned to type, writing a book has always been one of my goals,” he added.
‘Over time, more incentives emerged to pursue this dream.
“I believed that finishing it was essential to my happiness and personal progress.”