Beaming Suffering Tim ‘gets life back’
ARUGBY-LOVING Cotswolds farmer can finally hold his 18-month-old granddaughter after a 30-year battle with crippling pain.
Tim Harrison, 74, feared he might never walk or hold his beloved granddaughter after the rigours of running a farm took its toll on his body.
But he believes an innovative device that beams red light to his injured joints has now “given him his life back”.
Tim has had surgery 15 times since the mid-1980s, including operations on his back, hip and ankle. He also spent six months in traction.
“The background to my injuries is definitely farming and rugby,” said Tim, who played for years as a prop forward. “The problems first started in my early 30s. If I stood for more than half a minute I’d become totally paralysed below the waist. I had a hell of a job finding out what the problem was.”
Now semi-retired and living in Snowshill, in the Cotswolds, he had to diversify make ends meet – setting up a successful online deli and later a flourishing touring company.
Helping to treat his pain has been the
FLEXBEAM red light therapy device. It works by using light at specific red and near-infrared wavelengths to turbocharge the body with energy for selfhealing.
Tim’s main focus is now the younger generations and, in particular, his young granddaughter, who he and his wife dote on.
He said: “I always wanted a sister but had two brothers. I always wanted a daughter but had two sons. And the first three grandchildren – who are now more grown up – are all boys. But 18 months ago my youngest son produced a daughter, so she is spoiled to death.
“We often have her for the day and we missed her a lot during the second coronavirus lockdown. She is an absolute delight.
“I can just about pick her up and I’m not sure without the help of the FlexBEAM device that would be possible, so it’s helping me spend more quality time with her, which is so important.”
Research carried out by NASA showed near-infrared light helped its astronauts heal faster. The science has been applied by professional sports organisations for years, but the equipment was always large and expensive.
The FLEXBEAM device is the first in the world to make it more portable and affordable, so the treatment can be carried out at home.
“I was one of the first people to buy a FLEXBEAM,” said Tim. “I got mine in April and it is an amazing piece of technology.”
Dr Zulia Frost, co-founder of Recharge, the company behind FlexBEAM, said: “I have worked with Tim since 2014 and he was one of the first patients who bought the FLEXBEAM and successfully used it to support his many painful joints and the back.
“It helps to control his pain and gives him a quality of life.”