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Tommy - Team SIA London Marathon (Forward - Spring 2025)
When Tommy Rowlingson takes on the London Marathon in April to raise funds for SIA, it’ll be a pretty special moment for the 21-year-old.
Two and a half years ago, Tommy had just started at the University of Sussex when he noticed his legs felt strange and he couldn’t use the bathroom. Within 24 hours, he’d lost all function below his diaphragm. Tommy was diagnosed with acute onset transverse myelitis as the result of an anti-immune disease. He’d sustained inflammation across his spinal cord but particularly around the T9 vertebrae.
Throughout intensive rehabilitation, Tommy fought hard to regain his ability to walk and once he felt confident with walking, he began to run.
We asked Tommy to share his London Marathon story with us …
There was a time you thought you’d never walk again. What motivated you to take on the London Marathon?
The early days of my injury were dark days, but I never gave up hope. Weirdly I’ve always had intentions of doing the marathon, but I think my injury just gave me the push to do it.
From the first day I became paralysed and told I might never walk again, I knew that one day I would complete the London Marathon. Whether I ran, walked or wheeled my way over that line I didn’t care.
Your experience of the support received at Stoke Mandeville obviously left an impression on you?
By the time I reached Stoke Mandeville, I could stand up but that was the extent of it. It’s a place like no other. With directed spinal cord physiotherapy, the next three months were hard work but rewarding. Using the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill got me walking and using my legs as much as my body would let me.
My three months at Stoke were the most inspiring of my life and to this day it feeds my drive to improve my physical health. They teach you that movement is medicine and that having a disability doesn’t mark the end of your life, but only the start of a new one.
What have been some of the challenges? How have you managed these?
The obvious challenge was training itself, but managing my bladder and bowels alongside exercise and diet has been challenging. Muscle recovery too!
What about the highs?
From my first unaided steps to a 10k run, every milestone feels like heaven. I did a half marathon a year after being discharged from hospital which was hugely emotional. But it’s always the little things; walking the dog with my parents or going on Parkruns with friends. These mean the most.
What keeps you going on tough training days?
Remembering how lucky I am, where I’ve come from and who I’m doing it for – my SCI family and people I met at Stoke.
Which part of the London Marathon route are you most looking forward to?
The start – I love the Greenwich, Charlton, Woolwich area having lived near there most my life. The final sprint down the Mall as well!
My journey has been long and hard with really low lows but even higher highs also, and for me, when the moment comes that I finish the London Marathon, that is the moment that I will close the door behind me and leave this chapter of my life as a thing of the past.
We’re so grateful you’re fundraising for us. What has SIA’s support meant to you?
For me SIA do so much to represent, be a voice for, and unify the SCI community. They provide support and advice for those that want it.
Thank you Tommy for sharing your story with us, and for all your amazing fundraising so far. We wish you all the very best for the continued training and look forward to cheering you on in London on 27 April! If you would like to donate to his fundraiser please click on the button below:
This article was featured in the Spring 2025 issue of FORWARD magazine
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