Flu Triggers Paralysis: Man Fears Never Walking Again

Tinus Greyling, a 35-year-old software engineer from Centurion, South Africa, experienced a life-altering event after contracting influenza A in July 2025. What began as flu symptoms worsened significantly, leading to paralysis within a mere 15 minutes. He was rushed to the hospital with a severe fever, only to find himself paralyzed from the chest down, losing control of his bladder and bowels.

Doctors diagnosed Tinus with transverse myelitis, a condition causing spinal cord inflammation. They believe the flu triggered an autoimmune response in his body. This condition is considered incurable, leaving Tinus and his wife Megan uncertain if he will ever walk again.

Following his diagnosis, Tinus spent three months in the hospital undergoing treatments including high-dose steroids, immune therapy, and plasma infusions. He then moved to a rehabilitation hospital for six weeks to adapt to his new circumstances, learning daily tasks and navigating public spaces in a wheelchair.

Despite the challenges, Tinus maintains a positive outlook, focusing on his recovery and his dream of having children. He is actively engaged in his rehabilitation, utilizing technology and exploring stem cell therapy as a path towards regaining mobility, even as the costs exceed his medical coverage.