A paraplegic Vendéen because of the surfer’s myelopathy

When you surf, there is an often forgotten danger that can paralyze: the surfer’s myelopathy. Nevertheless, A rare pathology caused by a compression of the spinal cord. Similarly, linked to a prolonged stomach position on the board, in hyperextension.

“When I got out of the water. In addition, I felt less and less my legs”

This is what happened paraplegic vendéen because surfer’s myelopathy last February, in Flavien Dahai, a 29 -year -old Vendéen: “I was on vacation in Guadeloupe. In addition, Two days before leaving, we decided to learn surfing with my brother-in-law, the place was idyllic. Additionally, In addition, After an hour, everything stopped. Therefore, I felt a big pain in the lower back, like a stab, it was really horrible. For example, And the more it was, the more it intensified. In addition, I had less and less strength, a lot of tingling, heavy legs, and my head running. When I got out of the water, I felt less and less my legs. I didn’t feel them anymore when I sat down while waiting for the firefighters. “

Since then. Flavien Dahai has been paraplegic paraplegic vendéen because surfer’s myelopathy and has been fighting to find the use of his legs at the Red Cross rehabilitation center in Saint-Jean-de-Monts. With hindsight, he knows what has everything changed. “I did not listen to the pain. I told myself that it was a muscle that I should not have trained enough. even if it means being there, as much to continue. I should have stopped before but with the SI, we redo the world. “

Be on his board

This robotician from Aizenay now wants his story to be used for others. “I want to raise awareness about this little -known pathology. The cases identified are mainly in Hawaii, where there are a lot of surfers. I was able to help people from Marseille. La Rochelle who called me after feeling the same thing as me. It can happen and start again, except that I have happened and it did paraplegic vendéen because surfer’s myelopathy not leave, it blocked”.

So what to do to avoid it? “First, you have to warm up. When you wait for the waves. the best is to sit, not lying down, the neck raised, so as not to force the neck and the back. As soon as you feel any pain. tingling or you are not well, you stop, you get out of the water and make a diagnosis. “

After four months of rehabilitation. this young dad fights to walk again. Despite “High and stockings”il “Progress” with the objective of “be able to resurface one day“.