A young man who was paralysed while playing rugby is now able to move his legs again - thanks to an electronic implant that is fitted to his spine.
Connor Hughes was injured while playing for Stirling University, where he was an accounts and business student, in September 2014 and could only move his eyes and mouth after suffering spinal damage.
But thanks to the pioneering medical treatment the 21-year-old hopes one day to be able to walk again.
Connor had a tiny electronic implant fitted to his spine and groundbreaking treatment which saw 400 million stem cells injected into his body, the Daily Record reports.
Last January, Connor, from Roxburghshire, Scotland, travelled to California with his sister Rachael for an exercise programme at the Project Walk rehabilitation centre.
He then went to Bangkok to have his implant fitted and take part in the stem cell trial.
The implant, which has a battery life of nine years, has 16 electrodes attached to Connor’s spine which can activate the nerves used to control his legs.
At the push of a button, the device “switches on” the nerves – allowing him to feel despite being paralysed.
Connor said: “It’s bizarre being able to feel tingling in my legs again after so long. It’s been pretty overwhelming at times.
“When the implant is switched off, I feel absolutely nothing from my chest down.
“But when it’s switched on, I can move. It’s given me real hope.”
To get the best out of the device, Connor has to use it as much as he can. He said: “The device has to be switched on every day. All movements have to be practised to help build up wasted muscles and so I can begin to fine-tune movements.
“The first time I was able to move my leg was incredible.
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“There had been nothing for so long and then suddenly I could feel tingling.
“It’s still too early to say but I’m getting a little bit more movement now.”
In the UK, the implant is only given to people who suffer from back pain.
But researchers in the US and Thailand found it had a positive effect on people who have been paralysed – and Connor has reaped the benefit of their work.
In October, he told supporters on his blog: “Made it back home safely from Thailand after a marathon trip. There were a few hiccups such as the lift being broken on the aeroplane, requiring us to navigate a full flight of stairs.
“Still, it never seems as bad when it’s on the return journey!
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“It has been a big relief to be home again with all my family, and of course my Rottweiler, Crunchie.
“The jetlag has finally settled down and I have been enjoying the use of my new off-road wheelchair, the Boma!
“It’s absolutely great as I can go anywhere in it, so we have been out in the fresh air as much as possible tiring out the dogs.”
To donate to Connor’s rehabilitation fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/connorsjourney or http://lindeanlore.co.uk/donate.htm or text CJST95 plus a £ sign and the amount to 70070