William Montrieff
In July 2020, William started feeling unwell. At first, it didn’t seem like anything serious, but as the weeks passed, his symptoms worsened. Multiple visits to the GP and hospital resulted in a diagnosis of TMJ, though he wasn’t convinced—it didn’t quite match his lifestyle. Despite further tests, doctors stood by their assessment.
It wasn’t until a final appointment, where his symptoms raised alarm bells, that he was rushed to hospital under suspicion of sepsis. What followed was a rapid decline. He went into septic shock, and doctors discovered a large abscess in his throat that had spread to his head. Surgery was too risky. In the days that followed, he lost full sight in both eyes and the hearing in his right ear.
The toughest part was adjusting to his new reality. Losing his independence hit the hardest. He used to drive, play sports, and live an active lifestyle. Suddenly, he had to rely on others in ways he never had before. It was a huge mental shift.
Hearing about M2M on a podcast, he saw an opportunity—something that would push him beyond his comfort zone and connect him with like-minded people who truly understood what it meant to rebuild.
Since joining, M2M has been exactly that. Climbing Ben Nevis with the team in March was something he never imagined possible so early in his journey. Though he couldn’t stay the whole weekend, the experience left a lasting impact.
Now, he’s looking ahead—saying yes to every challenge, meeting more people who share his mindset, and continuing to redefine his own limitations. The journey is far from over, and with M2M, he’s proving to himself just how much is still possible.
