Kiambu Man Who Lost KU Degree Opportunity After Rare Spine Condition Seeks KSh 2.5m for Treatment
- Samuel Mwangi from Kiambu has shared that he is facing a lot of problems with his body, as he suffers from a spinal condition identified as transverse myelitis
- According to the 29-year-old man, his whole body is unable to move, and sleeping is also a problem, among other challenges
- He told TUKO.co.ke how the condition cost him an opportunity to go and study a course of his choice at KU
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Kiambu, Kenya: Samuel Mwangi was excited when he was called to study nutrition and dietetics at Kenyatta University, but sadly, this was not to happen, as 2018 had become a turning point for him.

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What is transverse myelitis?
In 2018, Mwangi was diagnosed with a condition identified as transverse myelitis. This is a rare neurological condition resulting from inflammation of the spinal cord.
According to the Cleaveland Clinic, when there is inflammation, the nerve cells in the spine are damaged and that interrupts the signals between nerves and the rest of the body.

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That means the person will start having loss of sensation, movement, as well as bladder control.
Cylindrical in shape, the spinal cord is a structure that runs through the centre of the spine, from your brainstem to the lower back.
It’s a delicate structure that contains nerve bundles and cells that carry messages from your brain to the rest of your body.

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Does transverse myelitis have a cure?
"Sadly, it doesn't have a cure, and you can only manage it through physiotherapy and meds of the spine. In 2018, I was admitted to the hospital for a year and had to do physiotherapy. Since then, I have faced several relapses," Mwangi told TUKO.co.ke.
"This year has been tough; my body can't move; I have leg and bladder issues. Sometimes I can't sleep because my body is moving involuntarily. I was taken for an MRI, and it confirmed that it was another inflammation of the spine," he said.

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Mwangi will need to start treatment for the current relapse, which makes it hard to move or do other things.
He will also need to undergo physiotherapy so that he can start moving well once again.
Additionally, the young man will need assistive support to help in quick recovery.
The 29-year-old now says that he needs an electric wheelchair to move around as well as he currently uses a walking frame.
During the interview, Mwangi complained that it limits him, and he cannot move around as much as he would like to work or participate in social activities.
He also needs a sports wheelchair, catheters, and money for treatment sessions to get better.

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Busia man develops spinal condition after KCSE
In another story, Sylvester Ekamuren Omada, a 28-year-old, made a heartfelt appeal to the government as well as compassionate individuals.
Omada appealed to well-wishers to help him raise KSh4.5 million for his much-needed medical treatment in India.
Omada was suffering from a severe spinal condition that was first diagnosed in 2013, shortly after he completed his Form Four examinations.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke