My Brief Experience Being Paralyzed and How it Impacted my Life

I was 23 years old in July 1988 when I awoke with a migraine headache. I had never had such a headache and just two years earlier had attempted the world record for running across the United States, sponsored by several companies. I was 138 pounds, running daily, and never had any significant medical problem. However, on this July day I would experience a dramatic health issue that I still recall vividly, even though it happened 28 years ago.

The migraine I had quickly advanced over the course of an hour, to the point where I could not even look at light without incredible pain in my head. I felt nauseous and weak, being unable to stand. Ultimately, an ambulance was called and I was taken to the local emergency room. It was apparent to the ER doctor that I was in excruciating pain and an IV of a pain-relieving drug was immediately administered. Blood was drawn and a CAT scan of my head was ordered. The results showed a mass at the base of the Medulla Oblongata in my brainstem where it connects with the spinal cord.

Fear immediately flowed through me because my mother had battled cancer and I was concerned that perhaps it was a cancerous mass. I went through a very uncomfortable spinal tap and other tests were performed. However, as the tests were being performed I began to lose feeling in my legs. Over the course of hours I eventually lost all sensation in my legs, not being able to stand, walk, or even feel a doctor scrape the bottom of my foot. I was paralyzed at the age of 23.

I will never forget laying in that hospital bed alone the first night with no feeling whatsoever from the waist down. Simply stated, I was scared. As a runner it was a living nightmare to not feel my legs. It was that night when I said a prayer and told God that I would commit my running to positive purposes and not self-seeking medals and glory if He were to bless me with the ability to run again. Up to that point in my life I had focused on setting personal records against the clock and trying to beat as many competitors as possible. My running had been all about ME and was a rather selfish pursuit. In my mind the purpose of running had been about being better than someone else. As I was lying in that hospital bed all alone, my perspective changed.

After a restless night of tears and praying, I awoke to a nurse checking my IV tube. I had to urinate and it was an incredibly embarrassing feeling to have two nurses turn me on my side so that I could use a urination pan on the bed. It was that morning that a local minister stopped by my room while on rounds through the hospital visiting with patients. We talked about my situation and prayed. Then, more tests followed.

Late in the day, and quite unexpectedly, I began to have a tingling sensation in my legs. The nurse called in my doctor and he did some tests to my legs and feet. Over the course of the next few hours I regained feeling in my legs and was actually able to stand. An MRI of my head was ordered and I was excited to have feeling back... but was also confused. The doctor came into my room with two X-ray films -- in one hand was my initial CAT Scan showing the mass and in the other hand was the MRI results... which showed no mass! He couldn't explain it and more tests were ordered. After a barrage of testing – but no definitive determination as to the cause – I was told that they couldn't explain what happened.

I walked out of the hospital and over the course of a few weeks I regained strength and was back to my running. That was nearly 30 years ago and in that time I've aimed to make my running more about benefiting others than benefiting myself. I've run to promote the American Cancer Society, the National Marrow Donor Program, and the World Vision organization. I've also run to promote youth fitness, creating The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation in an effort to encourage young people toward greater health/fitness and goal setting. The focus of my running changed as a result of momentary paralysis.

I've never had another paralyzing episode like that and migraines are not a part of my life. It was a moment when I experienced what it would be like to not have the function of my legs and it gave me a greater appreciation for the health that I have. It also strengthened my faith in a way unlike any other time in my life. Every day I count my blessings... one by one.

Psalm 147:10–11

"The Lord does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.."

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past