A DALGETY Bay landscape gardener has spoken of how his life has changed since he became unwell after having his second COVID-19 vaccination.

Craig McLagan, 39, feared he would lose his livelihood after developing a neurological disorder in 2022.

He is certain the vaccine is responsible for the health issues he now has and said, after finding a support group who are campaigning for their voice to be heard, he finally feels that he is being "listened" to.

He explained: "I got the vaccine in 2022 and all the symptoms started. I got my first one and felt unwell then I got my second, probably about a day after it I started getting shooting pains down my right elbow and my right shoulder."

This continued for several months and Craig found he was feeling more lethargic and unsteady on his feet before waking up one day with severe back pain.

"I couldn't move my leg," he said. "I got taken into hospital. I was in hospital for two days and the pain then went and it was numbness. I could not feel anything at all.

"I could not walk without crutches, I was dragging my legs. Then I stood up and everything was back to normal like nothing had happened.

Craig McLagan with wife LynetteCraig McLagan with wife Lynette (Image: Contributed)

"The medical people were baffled. The doctor came in to see how I was doing because they had arranged an MRI and a CT and they were walking in to tell me about it and sitting staring at me and saying 'How did you manage that?'"

As a recovering drug addict – Craig has been clean for six years – he refused to take strong painkillers for his symptoms due their addictiveness. He returned home, however, three days later, he suffered another attack and wife Lynette thought he was having a stroke.

He said: "The right side of my face had completely fallen and I couldn't move my right hand side. An ambulance was called and when I was in the ambulance, I couldn't remember who anybody was or where I was. I got taken to Kirkcaldy and walked out there six hours later like nothing had happened."

Craig eventually saw a neuro-specialist who diagnosed him with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and dismissed his thoughts that the vaccination was responsible for his condition.

"I genuinely thought I was never gong to be able to do anything again," he said. "I started back working myself a year and a half ago.

"It has been only been in the last six months I have been able to lay slabs without falling over. I had to train myself how to climb ladders, how to hold hedge cutters. I have had to retrain my entire way of thinking.

"Some attacks have lasted for days. About two or three months ago, I had not had an attack for about seven weeks and after that, it was one of the worst I have ever had.

"I normally get one or two a week so if they are wee attacks, I can still function.

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"There are days when it gets so bad, I can't walk properly. My speech goes. I cannot talk. I go really white and it is as if I have taken something. It is like the world is moving really quickly.

"With the FND, it is like someone has unplugged you. I have tricked my brain into thinking everything is alright. It has completely changed my life for the worst. It has been utterly horrendous.

"I feel like there are still days when I am down. I feel like my independence has been taken away from me. I feel like I am not a man now. I was running companies, I was working 18 hour shifts and I was absolutely fine.

"I have had my troubles with the drugs and stuff like that but I am six years clean from everything."

After posting of his experiences on social media, Craig came into contact with the Scottish Vaccine Injury group which is a support and advocacy group for Covid-19 vaccine injured or bereaved.

"Finding the group was a breath of fresh air," he said. "I was genuinely starting to think I had something wrong with me and it was not the vaccine. Then I got on to that group and I started talking to everybody and I finally felt I was not alone.

"They are fighting behind the scenes for justice. It has taken away the doubt and made me realise I am correct with what is happening. Even though all my family were there, they don't understand. They were saying go and see the doctor. I have already been.

"Talking to everybody in the group, I have learned more in the group on my condition than I have from any doctor.

"My life changed when I got my vaccines. I want people to find the group so they don't feel alone and for the truth to finally come out."

Craig was also keen to pay tribute to his wife Lynette who has been at his side throughout the last few years.

He added: "I have had some of the darkest times. Lynette didn't want to leave me. She wouldn't go anywhere. She was scared to death. I want to thank her for all the support.

"We lost her dad in October and we believe that was the vaccine. He had just had his flu jag and Covid booster."