Just before Christmas, Archbishop Fisher was diagnosed with Guillan- Barré Syndrome which affects the immune system, resulting in paralysis.

From intensive care at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, he went to Mt Wilga Hospital where, for the past three months, he has been receiving intensive physiotherapy.

The rehab program has helped him regain use of his legs, although his hands are recovering a little more slowly.

Now back in his own residence, the archbishop is planning on working in the mornings and continuing with his rehabilitation program in the afternoons.

On leaving Mt Wilga, the archbishop thanked all the doctors, physios, occupational therapists and the staff for their professionalism and personal care.

During his time in hospital the archbishop has been inundated with prayers, cards and social media messages.

He believes the many prayers have helped him recover a lot quicker than the doctors expected.

It is not unusual for people with Guillain-Barré Syndrome to take two years to recover.

But the archbishop's progress has been steady and encouraging and despite the syndrome rendering him initially paralysed and then muscle weak, his spirits have remained high.

He said his experience has given him a deeper insight into suffering, and when he preaches on the subject from now on, it will be more personal.

"I think I have learnt some new things about suffering and its place in the spiritual life and in recovery."

Last week, Archbishop Fisher participated in the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference plenary.

He also hopes to celebrate Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi on 29 May at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, when he wants to personally thank parishioners and friends for their prayers and support.

Source

• Sydney Catholic
• Image: Catholic Weekly

Shortly before Christmas, Archbishop Fisher contracted a gastrointestinal infection which was complicated by the syndrome.

This was later diagnosed as Guillain-Barre syndrome.

This is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.

The condition includes varying degrees of muscle weakness and temporary paralysis.

The great majority of people who suffer from the syndrome make a full recovery.

But in severe cases, the symptom can interfere with the body's vital functions like breathing and can be life-threatening.

Archbishop Fisher spent some time at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, including a spell in intensive care.

In a January 13 update, the archbishop said he had been able to stand for a few moments, which he described as "very encouraging".

A day-by-day improvement has allowed Archbishop Fisher to be transferred to a rehabilitation facility.

According to a January 22 report, he spends most of the day exercising and working with physiotherapists to regain muscle strength.

He has thanked people who have been praying for his recovery and has assured them of his prayers for them.

Friends, family, colleagues, supporters and Catholics from all around Australia and internationally have been expressing their support via email, phone, text and social media.

Youth networks throughout Sydney archdiocese communicated quickly about the need for prayers when the archbishop was first diagnosed and gathered for a night of prayer on January 9 at Sacred Heart parish, Darlinghurst.

Young people from Catholic Youth Services, Catholic University Chaplaincies, University of Notre Dame and Australian Catholic University joined together to alert their networks and host the night.

In one message of thanks, Archbishop Fisher stated that he had asked people to pray that he would have the virtues of patience, courage and hope.

Sources

• Catholic Weekly
• Sydney Catholic
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Catholic Weekly
• Image: Catholic Weekly