Locked-In Syndrome: Peter Coghlan’s Story

Every year, there are over 100,000 stroke cases in the UK alone, with stroke symptoms responsible for approximately one new case every five minutes.

In England, there are approximately 32,000 instances whereby the condition results in death, although the number of fatalities has decreased by 49% in the last fifteen years.

After Effects of Stroke Symptoms

While fewer people have lost their lives as a consequence of a stroke, the condition continues to have an overwhelming impact, affecting people in a variety of ways.

The after-effects of stroke symptoms can include weakness and/or paralysis on one side of the body, problems with coordination and balance, as well as tingling or burning sensations. However, for Peter Coghlan, the consequences proved to be even more significant, with his stroke triggering an ordeal whereby he found himself battling locked-in syndrome.

What is Locked-In Syndrome?

A rare neurological condition, locked-in syndrome causes paralysis of voluntary muscle groups, except for those that are responsible for the movement of the eyes.

Those with the condition are awake and conscious but are unable to move or communicate verbally, having suffered damage to the pons. This is a part of the brainstem that contains nerve fibers that deliver vital information throughout the brain.

How Did Peter Coghlan’s Stroke Symptoms Prompt Locked-In Syndrome?

A former soldier, Peter Coghlan emigrated to Perth, Australia to begin work as a bricklayer. He recalled the day that a seemingly innocuous bump to the head began a sequence of events that would prompt his courageous battle against the debilitating condition.

“I was working as a bricklayer in a trench. My back was aching, so I stood up for a break. However, I didn’t realise that there was a curb behind my head. I banged my head and a piece of sharp concrete penetrated my skull – that’s what led to the clot.

“It transpired that my blood is thick and consequently, the platelets built up where the impact occurred, leading to the blockage. If I’d had my blood checks more regularly, then treatment could’ve been taken beforehand, so I’d always recommend that people make sure they have regular blood checks to reduce the likelihood of serious health conditions that could potentially be avoided.”

The trauma inflicted to Peter’s head and the subsequent clot led to a stroke, with Peter’s condition deteriorating to such a point that he woke to find himself ‘locked-in’, unable to move and incapable of engaging in verbal communication. Peter recalled the moment when he realised the severity of the predicament that he had found himself in.

“When I came around and I realised I was locked-in, adrenaline kicked in. I remember telling myself, ‘I’m a soldier, I’m a fit lad’, but in reality, I felt so pathetic.

“I couldn’t move, talk, or express myself. I ended up feeling vulnerable, hopeless and scared. I used to dream of moving my body and doing the things that I could do before – martial arts, and so forth.

“That’s what gave me the drive – after all, I was the same person I was before, so I knew I could do it and fight back. Initially, after a lot of crying, I sought the mental strength to start fighting. I wanted to just get home and carry on with my life. Nothing was going to stop me.”

While the severity of Peter’s stroke may have proved difficult for many people to face, the conceivably devastating consequences of how this could potentially alter the rest of his life served as an incentive to begin a long road to recovery. 90% of people with locked-in syndrome die within four months, yet this didn’t deter Peter, who devoted every instant to achieve his burning desire of making a full recovery.

“I tried my hardest every minute of every day, at all hours, trying to move my fingers, trying to swallow, trying to stay focused. I was in a wheelchair and could only move my head half an inch, but I was determined to improve my movement. It took me a long time to retrain my eyes, to learn to swallow and use the toilet again. At times it was like a horror film.”

Peter Coghlan’s life had always revolved around having a good level of fitness, before being struck with a condition that robbed him of functions that many people take for granted.

Following his experience with locked-in syndrome, he relayed a message to encourage others to live a proactive lifestyle, but also to inspire hope amongst those who are currently in a scenario similar to that of his own.

“I always say, ‘don’t count the days, make the days count.’ Hold on until tomorrow, you never know what could happen. At one point, I asked my Mum to kill me. I didn’t want to live because I had no control over anything. However, each day brings new promise, new possibilities and new mental strength, that’ll always be my message.”

As well as publishing a memoir, ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, an inspiring account of how he battled against locked-in syndrome, Peter Coghlan has also made history, becoming the first man to survive locked-in syndrome and enter the care industry, after beginning work with Right at Home.