Former Manchester City captain Andy Morrison has spoken out on his stunning recovery from a rare neurological condition known as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. The 55-year-old was given a diagnosis earlier this year but has left his doctors “amazed” at the progress made in the following months.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is triggered by a virus in the facial nerves and can result in facial paralysis, blistering rashes near the ear, severe earache and hearing loss. But the ex-City skipper has issued a positive health update on social media and even made a recent return to the commentary booth.
He said: “Evening everyone. Just a quick update after the first day back working at City with the matchday live team, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
“It was fantastic to be back. Felt the voice was strong enough to go back and do co-commentary today. That’s my first time back in five-and-a-half months. I really appreciate all the support and working with Ali Mann, who makes it very easy.
“An enjoyable game. I struggled with a few words, a few names, but nothing too bad. I did struggle with (Ryan) McAidoo. Could have a player there by the way, watch this space. There was enough there to think he could be the next one on the conveyor belt, hugely impressive in the second-half.
“Birthday yesterday, that was a great day with grandkids and family. I had a specialist on Wednesday and it was really positive, he was really delighted and amazed at the progress I had made, from House-Brackmann (nerve grading scale) six to a four and he is really positive that within a year I’ll get my eye back and be able to blink, so I won’t have to tape it down at night.
“I still have to take juice to swallow and I have no taste in the side of my mouth and the whole side of the face is numb, so I have to drink through a straw still. He wasn’t sure just how much that would progress because it’s still really weak. But if sucking through a straw is the worst-case scenario, then so be it. I won’t be posting now because I won’t see a specialist for another three months.
“A really good day and it just felt great to be back doing something when that seemed a million miles away. I didn’t get out of bed for four weeks and couldn’t speak for a month.
“I had some really dark days in this conservatory but I stayed positive and this too shall pass, everything passes, good or bad, everything comes and goes and sometimes you just have to dig in and get through it. But thanks for listening and see you all soon.”