Sheila’s first steps to recovery

A GREAT-grandmother who thought she would never be able to walk again has taken her first steps eight months after being left with no feeling below the waist.

Sheila Pirie, from Alyth, could not walk after a spinal abscess damaged her nerves.

When the 73-year-old arrived at Balhousie Care Home i n Coupar Angus in August she was in a wheelchair and needed a fullbody hoist to lift her in and out of bed.

But after eight months of gruelling physiotherapy, the former bank clerk is back on her feet and taking part in a 35 million-step virtual walk from Scotland to Australia.

The walk, which is being measured by a pedometer, was organised by the care home’s activities co-ordinator.

She said: “We’re about 60% of the way now. We should reach Australia by the end of April or beginning of May.”

Sheila said: “It was very hard work but I must admit now it was worth it.”

The widowed mother-of-four, who has nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons, was put on a tough regime of pilates and arm and leg exercises designed to rebuild her muscle and balance.

Gradually, she was able to move from a wheelchair to a walking frame and now uses a three-wheel frame.

She is now one of the most active residents at Balhousie care home, which also looks after people with cognitive illness such as dementia.