The hardened ice where Teri Palynchuk once swept stones with precision now feels a world away. The 41-year-old Abbotsford curler’s life transformed dramatically when a rare neurological condition left her paralyzed from the chest down, forcing her to navigate a new reality far removed from the competitive curling circuits she once dominated.
“When the doctor told me I might never walk again, everything just stopped,” Palynchuk revealed during an interview from her rehabilitation facility in Vancouver. “One day I was planning our team strategy for provincials, and the next I couldn’t feel my legs.”
Palynchuk’s ordeal began in late May with what she dismissed as a persistent backache. Within 72 hours, the discomfort evolved into complete lower body paralysis, leading to her diagnosis with transverse myelitis—an inflammatory disorder causing lesions across the spinal cord. The condition affects fewer than five in every million people annually, according to the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation.
Dr. Anita Krishnan, Palynchuk’s neurologist at Vancouver General Hospital, explains that the condition’s rarity often leads to delayed diagnosis. “Transverse myelitis can develop rapidly, sometimes within hours. Its presentation resembles several other neurological conditions, making immediate identification challenging even for experienced physicians,” she noted.
For Palynchuk, a three-time British Columbia provincial finalist and respected coach in Abbotsford’s youth curling program, the adjustment has proven physically and emotionally grueling. “Curling gave me discipline, community, and purpose. It taught me to analyze problems methodically and find solutions—skills I’m now applying to this challenge,” she reflected.
The Canadian curling community has rallied around Palynchuk with remarkable solidarity. A fundraising bonspiel organized by her home club raised over $67,000 toward modifying her home and covering specialized equipment costs not included in provincial healthcare coverage. Former competitors from across the country have contributed to an online campaign that’s approaching $125,000.
“The curling world is like an extended family,” said James Mercer, president of Curl BC. “When one of our own faces adversity, the response is immediate and heartfelt. Teri has contributed so much to our sport—as a competitor, mentor, and ambassador—that this support, while extraordinary, isn’t surprising.”
Medical experts remain cautious about Palynchuk’s prognosis. While some transverse myelitis patients experience partial or complete recovery, others face permanent paralysis. Rehabilitation specialists at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre have implemented an aggressive therapy regimen focusing on maximizing Palynchuk’s upper body strength and teaching adaptive techniques for daily activities.
“We’re working with cutting-edge neurostimulation protocols that have shown promising results in similar cases,” explained physiotherapist Darlene Westgate. “Teri’s exceptional physical conditioning prior to her diagnosis provides advantages in terms of cardiovascular health and muscle memory that many patients don’t have.”
Palynchuk’s determination mirrors the strategic patience that made her a formidable skip on the ice. She’s approaching rehabilitation with the same analytical mindset that helped her read complex ice conditions and plan multi-shot strategies.
“In curling, you learn that sometimes you need to take a different path to the button than you initially planned,” Palynchuk said. “This is just a different path. The goal has changed, but the determination hasn’t.”
The Abbotsford curling community has organized volunteers to support Palynchuk’s family, including her husband Martin and their 14-year-old daughter. Meal deliveries, transportation assistance, and home modifications have been coordinated through a dedicated website.
As medical researchers continue investigating innovative treatments for spinal cord injuries and inflammatory neurological conditions, Palynchuk remains focused on immediate challenges while maintaining cautious optimism. She’s begun exploring adaptive curling programs, determined to remain connected to the sport that shaped her identity.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever throw another stone or sweep another line,” she acknowledged, “but I know curling will always be part of who I am. The ice teaches you patience and perseverance—exactly what I need right now.”
As Palynchuk faces this unexpected trajectory in her life’s journey, one question remains at the forefront of both her recovery and the broader conversation about rare neurological conditions: How might increased awareness and research funding transform outcomes for the thousands of Canadians affected by sudden-onset paralysis each year?
