Sporty teen paralyzed from shoulders down after ‘stitching’ while kayaking

The once “intensely sporty” teenager, who was partially paralyzed from the shoulders down, has vowed to get on with his life, describing his condition as just “a bump in the road”.

At age six, Shayne Dawson-Diamond was diagnosed with a benign bone spur tumor On top of his left knee, which was later removed. However, a routine scan in April 2024 revealed a new shadow on his left shin bone.

Following further scans, Shayne, now 16, found another benign tumor in the area and underwent a biopsy – but “complications” from the surgery left her with a “oozing wound” and pressure on the back of her knee, causing “excruciating pain”.

Shayne’s mother, Claire Dawson, 45, said her son began experiencing pain in his left leg and after several operations, Shayne, an avid kayaker and horseman, was informed he would “never be able to use his limb again”.

Determined to carry on as normal, Shayne “leaped” on her other leg and took part in a kayaking race in July this year, but a mile in, she felt stitches and had difficulty breathing, before having a seizure and being taken to hospital.

Although not confirmed, Shayne is believed to suffer from Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) – a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to the body – and has left him partially paralyzed from the shoulders down, with limited movement in his arms and right leg.

While his left leg may never heal, Claire is hopeful her son’s current paralysis is temporary, and Shayne, who was scheduled to start college in September but is taking a year off, has focused his attention on “getting back in his boat” and “getting back to competing.”

“I don’t think you can let something like that get in the way,” Shayne said.

“You have to take it as a bump in the road.

“Obviously, some bumps will be bigger than others, but you just have to keep pushing through the ups and downs to get to the smoother road.

“I just want to get back, get fit and healthy, and get on with my life.”

Claire, from West MidlandsSaid that his son has always been “active”.

“Shanny has always been a seriously sporty kid, he’s never sat at a computer, he’s constantly training,” he said.

When Shayne was six years old, he was diagnosed with a benign bone tumor on the top of his left knee, which was later removed.

Because of this, Shayne has been monitored through scans every six to 12 months for the past 10 years to ensure that the tumor does not reappear.

During a routine scan in April 2024, a shadow was detected on his left shin bone.

That month, Shiney’s leg was X-rayed, after which MRI Scans conducted in August 2024 showed that the shadow had increased in size.

In November 2024, Shayne received a biopsy on the unknown mass, where it was found to be “another benign lesion,” Claire said.

However, he said there were “complications” following the biopsy procedure.

“The wound was bleeding profusely, he was able to walk on his leg but it was in pain,” he said.

Over the next few days, Shayne began experiencing “pressure in the back of his leg.”

Claire said, “He was crying in agony; the pain was unbearable.”

“His leg was swollen and he started saying his leg was numb.”

Shayne went to A&E, where doctors thought he might be suffering from compartment syndrome – an increase in pressure inside the muscles, which restricts blood flow and causes pain, according to NHS,

Shayne was monitored, but “he had lost sensation from the knees down,” Claire said.

He had two more operations on his leg aimed at relieving the pressure, but the pain did not return.

After recovering from surgery and undergoing a “nerve conduction study” in December 2024, it was found that Shinee “will never be able to use that leg again,” Claire said.

She added: “Although he got around and was living a very good life, he was hopping on his other leg.

“It was a big lifestyle change but it wasn’t the end of the world.”

Determined to pursue his passion, Shayne, an avid kayaker who has competed at the national level, focused on tackling a race on July 6 this year.

“He got out about a mile and said he felt like he had stitches in his side, he couldn’t breathe properly and pulled over,” Claire recalled.

“She started having convulsions, seizure-like episodes – her whole side was shrinking.”

Claire said the episode lasted “two and a half hours” as Shayne was taken to hospital.

“In the hospital he had three massive convulsions, his whole body shook and then his condition deteriorated,” he said.

“He’s been floppy ever since.”

Although it has not yet been confirmed, it is believed that Shayne suffers from Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), according to the NHS, which is a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body.

Symptoms of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

“We think he suffered a minor injury in the game and his nervous system shut down,” Claire said.

“It couldn’t cope with anything else, it just went into safe mode, it literally turned off the off button.”

Claire said Shiney has been partially paralyzed from the shoulders down since the race – and it was only on September 30 that he began to regain movement and control of his head.

“He can use his arms and his right leg, but he has no use of his trunk or left side,” he said.

“Hopefully movement from the waist up will return, but we can’t say how much or when.

“It could come back tomorrow, it could come back in 18 months.”

Shayne said that dealing with his situation has been “very difficult”.

“Going from being fully able-bodied to being partially disabled definitely has an impact,” he said.

“It’s definitely hard to process, especially at 16 years old.

“You just have to keep fighting through the tough places to get to the good place.

“I can sit in my bedroom, cry about it and close myself off from the world, but it will still be the same.

“I know my leg won’t come back, but I have the mindset that the rest is temporary.”

While she is currently unable to paddle in a kayak or get back on a horse, Shayne said she is determined to stay strong and motivated.

He is now receiving physiotherapy sessions and said he is also working with the GB junior team for paracanoeing, as he aims to get back in the water in the future.

“I want to get back in my boat, get back on my horse and get back competing,” he said.

“I also want to raise awareness for other people going through similar things.”

Claire said: “We know he won’t be able to walk unaided again, but I just want him to have the best quality life possible.”

he has launched a gofundme Page to purchase an “improved” wheelchair for Shinee, which would also include an electric bike attachment to give her more independence.

They estimate they will need to raise around £6,000 in total for the equipment, with over £3,500 raised so far.

Claire said: “Don’t take anything for granted and keep fighting.

“When something like this happens, you have to keep fighting for your child.”