Kelly-Marie Stewart's Walking Determination

7 months ago 09th Aug 12:30

'Hollyoaks' star Kelly-Marie Stewart is determined to walk again.

The 24-year-old blonde - who plays Hayley Ramsay in the Chester-based soap - has Guillain-Barre syndrome, which damages the body's nervous system and can leave sufferers paralysed.

I would say, 'You'll be walking by your birthday'

Hayley, who lost the ability to walk three years ago and needs a wheelchair, said: "It started with pins and needles in my feet. Then one day when I was driving on the motorway I couldn't control the accelerator properly.

"I went to see my doctor and he sent me to hospital. They were really worried, so they asked me to stay in for a few days. On the second day I was walking to the toilet and I collapsed. I've not been able to walk since.

"It happened so quickly, it was incredibly frightening. But I was lucky, some people are paralysed from the neck down. At least I still have the use of my upper body."

But she is hopeful she can realise her dream of walking again

She added: "At the beginning I set goals for myself. I would say, 'You'll be walking by your birthday'. But that never happened. Then it was Christmas, then New Year. In the end I gave up setting myself goals and just promised myself I'd work as hard as I could every day and take the baby steps to my dream."