Man, 29, with locked-in syndrome completes 50,000-word book – using only his EYES

A man left completely paralyzed after developing Locked-in syndrome has written a 50,000-word book using only his eyes.

Howard Wicks, from Dartmouth in Devon, became trapped in his body as a teenager in 2011 and was unable to move or communicate independently after suffering a massive stroke.

Mr Wicks is now 29 and can think, see and feel, but he cannot eat, talk or move any part of his body except his eyes.

The rare neurological condition, locked-in syndrome, has made any physical activity or task “impossible,” he said, and prevents him from communicating normally.

But with the help of an Eyegaze computer, a machine that tracks his eye movements, Mr. Wicks miraculously wrote a novel over the course of 18 months.

Now 29, Mr. Wicks can think, see and feel, but cannot eat, talk or move any part of his body except his eyes. The rare neurological condition, locked-in syndrome, has made any physical activity or job “impossible,” he said, and prevented him from communicating normally.

He described the writing process as “a cathartic experience.”

“I enjoyed writing it, especially the parts I enjoyed experiencing myself,” he said via Eyegaze software.

‘However, it quickly became a source of stress, because I felt that I could only really enjoy the book once it was finished.’

He told the BBC: ‘The first chapter introduces the reader to my life before the stroke, helping them understand who I was.’

‘The book ends with my transition from the hospital environment to community life. The series runs from 16 years to the present.’

It is estimated that around 300 Britons and less than 1,000 Americans are living with locked-in syndrome.

Stroke is one of the causes; each year 100,000 people in the UK and 800,000 in the US suffer from this medical emergency.

According to the charity Stroke Association, less than 1 percent of stroke victims develop locked-in syndrome.

Locked-in syndrome is caused by damage to the brain stem, which contains the nerves that transmit information to other parts of the body.

Such damage usually occurs due to a lack of blood flow or bleeding after severe physical trauma.

It is estimated that 300 Britons and fewer than 1,000 Americans are living with locked-in syndrome. Stroke is one of the causes, 100,000 people in the UK and 800,000 in the US experience this medical emergency every year.

Mr Wicks hopes his book will raise awareness of his charity — the Locked In Trust — which works to support other people suffering from the condition. Pictured: Mr Wicks after his stroke in 2011

Locked-in syndrome occurs on a scale where some patients can move more parts of their body than others. However, there is currently no cure for the condition.

Many patients are bedridden, require constant care and can only breathe or eat and drink through special medical tubes.

Instead, treatment focuses on helping the patient develop small voluntary actions available to him or her, such as finger movements, swallowing, and making sounds.

Mr Wicks hopes his book will raise awareness of his charity, the Locked In Trust, which works to support other people suffering from the condition.

He said: ‘I set up this charity four years ago but it has not yet achieved the scope or impact it should have.

‘This was another motivation behind completing the book: to propel the charity to the forefront of society.’

He also hopes that this first novel will be part of a trilogy.

“From the moment I could type, writing a book has always been a goal of mine,” he added.

‘Over time, more and more incentives arose to pursue this dream.

“I believed that finishing it was essential to my happiness and personal progress.”