By Mark Learmouth, Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner at Sunderland Royal Hospital

In January 2024, my life changed in an instant. A rare neurological disorder left me completely paralysed and fighting for my life. After three months, of intensive rehabilitation, I was determined to regain movement and independence. While recovering in hospital, I watched the London Marathon and found my next challenge.

Now, just over a year later, I’m preparing to run the London Marathon in April 2025. Beyond regaining my strength I’m raising money for the Futures Fund at the University of Sunderland, which helps students achieve their career goals.

A career inspired by family

My passion for pharmacy began with my mother, Joy, who graduated from the University of Sunderland in 1979. At 15 years old, I started a Saturday job in a community pharmacy alongside her and discovered my own passion for the profession.

Following in her footsteps, I graduated from Sunderland in 2014 with a pharmacy degree and later completed a Master’s in Clinical Pharmacy. I secured my dream role as an Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner, but my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in early 2024.

Overcoming the battle

Guillain-Barré syndrome completely paralysed me and I almost died twice during my three-month stay in hospital.

During rehabilitation, I needed a goal—something to work towards beyond recovery. The London Marathon became that goal. When my initial application was unsuccessful, I read in the University’s Alumni newsletter that they had a place available for a runner supporting the Futures Fund. I applied and became the University of Sunderland’s first-ever official representative at the London Marathon.

Running for a purpose

When the Development Office contacted me, I knew it was the perfect way to give back to the University that's given me so much. By fundraising for the Futures Fund, I hope to help students access the same opportunities I did.

My experience as a patient

Everything happened so quickly. Despite working in a hospital for 10 years, I’d never come across any patient with GBS. While I still had use of my hands, I was lying in intensive care researching the condition on my phone. After that, I don’t remember anything until I woke up from my induced coma. I was completely paralysed, unable to speak due to tracheostomy and felt truly helpless.

Luckily my wife is a doctor, and she was by my side the whole time. I switched off from being a healthcare professional and put my full trust in her and the medical team. I knew my only job was to focus on myself and give everything I had to my twice a day physio, which completely exhausted me after losing 12kg in muscle mass.

With my experience of working in hospital, I have seen first hand how good healthcare is, and my time as a patient reinforced that.

It also showed me how important it is to stay engaged, listen and stay positive during recovery - I believe that mindset made a real difference.

Now, back at work a year later, I find it easier to relate to patients, knowing I’ve been in a similar or worse position. I’m happy sharing my experience with them – and they appreciate knowing I haven’t just worked in healthcare, but have also been a patient myself.

The road to London 2025

Every training session is a testament to resilience, determination, and purpose. As I prepare to cross the finish line in April 2025, I’ll not only be celebrating my own comeback – I'll also be helping future students at the University of Sunderland.

If you’d like to support Mark’s journey and contribute to the Futures Fund, donations can be made here.

Read more RPS blogs.