Argentinian teen who suffered stroke learns to walk again thanks to specialist Norwich gym's help

• Gabriel Suarez talks to ITV News Anglia's Andy Ward about how the Able2B gym has helped to change his life

A teenager from Argentina who suffered a stroke at the age of 13 has learned to walk again unaided thanks to the help of a specialist UK gym for disabled people.

Gabriel Suarez, 18, lost all movement in his body after the stroke happened while he was horse riding in his home country.

After treatments failed to work in both Argentina and the USA, he decided to travel to Norwich after his mother Yubel spotted a clip on social media about how the Able2B gym, co-founded by former boxer Jon Thaxton, had helped a young woman with a rare condition regain her ability to walk.

Emma Daniels, 21, was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition which can cause joints to dislocate easily, but has now started to walk again with leg braces.

When Gabriel arrived at the same gym six weeks ago, he couldn't walk without crutches, but within days, he was able to stand independently.

"I never said: 'I can't walk.' No, I was always like: 'You have to recover," said Gabriel.

"I was training and training and never looking back, and now I can walk. It's a miracle that I can do it."

Staff said that Gabriel was "very low" when he first stepped foot in the gym, and was "lacking in self-belief".

However, after an intense schedule of gym sessions, physiotherapy and swimming, he continued to grow in strength - much to the amazement of trainers.

"Every week, it's like: 'OK, we're going to get him to do this now.' The stairs for example, I had no idea he was going to be able to just confidently rack up the stairmaster," senior trainer Jordan Bromley told ITV News Anglia.

"Every time, he's like: 'I think I can do this.' His balance is a massive thing, so when he was just able to stand up on his own, every time we see him, it's a new achievement. It's been incredible, to be honest."

Gabriel is due to head home to Argentina in the near future, where his dad will be able to see him walk again for the first time.

His ultimate dream is to one day return to the saddle to ride horses - but until then, his focus remains on continuing his recovery.

"It's now time to go home. For sure, I'll keep training. This is just the start - I still have to improve a lot of things," Gabriel said.

"I'm really thankful. Never give up. Always listen to your body. Day by day, if you keep trying, you will get there."

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