Weston Man Walks Again After Being Paralyzed From Illness

WESTON, MA —Fred Woodside woke up paralyzed one morning due to a sudden onset of a rare autoimmune disorder in 2019, and the Weston resident feared he would never walk again.

Years later, Woodside is now walking again with the use of a walker and help from Journey Forward, a Canton-based non-profit created to help spinal cord injury patients get a sense independence back.

Woodside was treated for Guillain-Barré, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

With an unstable future, Woodside started seeking physical therapy and treatment at Spaulding Rehab, which sent him to Journey Forward in the first place.

When Woodside first arrived at Spaulding, he could not move his arms or legs and was paralyzed from the chest down. He has worked hard, attending physical therapy four times a week with a vigorous workout routine designed to help his mobility.

Now, a spokesperson at Journey Forward says Woodside is now able to walk with the help of a walker, has increased independence, and move himself into the car from his wheelchair.

Woodside says he hopes to one day walk with just the help of a cane. “Work as hard as you can, and take all the advice. It’s all time, you have to spend time to succeed.”