A 35-year-old man went from fighting the flu to being completely paralysed in the space of just 15 minutes, but says he is determined to overcome the odds and walk again
A bloke who went from fighting the flu to being completely paralysed in the space of just 15 minutes has shared exactly what caused the shocking downturn. Tinus Greyling, 35, and his wife Megan, 32, had both begun suffered severe flu symptoms after attending a wedding of friends in July 2025.
The two saw a doctor and were told they had the flu, and just three days later Tinus was back at the office – but by the second week, he was feeling far worse. The software engineer says that he battled the worsening symptoms for the best part of a fortnight when things took a sudden and serious turn, and he was forced to admit himself in hospital with what seemed to be a severe fever.
Before he knew it, the unlucky bloke was paralysed from the chest down and completely unable to control his bladder or bowels due to a condition doctors believe was triggered by the flu.
Tinus, from South Africa, said that the experience was a complete “shock”.
He explained: “It was a shock. I had no idea what was going on with my body. Before this I was living full throttle.
“Megan and I had plans to start a new chapter in Ireland, to be closer to family living there. I was active and independent.”
He describes the feeling as the “worst fever I’ve experienced”, adding that his muscles were sore – whether I sat or stood I was in pain.”
Tinus quickly started wondering if it was something more than flu, such as tick-bite fever or Covid.
Megan said: “I prayed until my knees were raw. I thought I was going to lose my husband.”
Tinus added: “In hospital I just lived day by day. I knew there was no point in stressing – it wouldn’t be good for my health.”
Eventually, Tinus was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and nerves, which explains his paralysis.
According to the medical report, it was most likely the flu that triggered it.
Tinus said: “I had the influenza A virus and had an autoimmune reaction because my body thought it had to fight against it. My spine then swelled and compressed the vertebrae.”
Doctors told Tinus that the condition is incurable and they don’t know if he’ll be able to walk again, that only time would tell.
He added: “I think they just didn’t want to give me false hope.”
Tinus remained in hospital for three months and was treated with high-dose steroids, immune therapy and plasma infusions.
He also spent six weeks in a rehabilitation hospital for physio and occupational therapy, and needed to learn to dress himself, brush his teeth and navigate his wheelchair in public life.
Tinus decided to accept his new circumstances, rather than letting himself sink into a depression.
He said: “I choose to stay positive, especially for the people around me. Because I can see how hard it is for them too. I can still use my arms and hands. “Yes, I can’t walk, but I’m alive.”
“Conventional medicine stabilised me, but stem cell therapy is where hope lies. My expectations are realistic, not wishful thinking. Our dream of having children is what encourages me to get up every day and fight this illness.”
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