Roland Reeve John Hughes says he isn't deterred from spending time in nature after a serious battle with West Nile.

An outdoor lover, Hughes looks forward to camping and fishing again as his strength and mobility gradually return.

Near the end of summer in 2016 Hughes contracted West Nile from an infected mosquito, which began to manifest as serious flu symptoms. In September he and his wife Mary-Lou decided it was time to see a doctor. However, before they could make the trip Hughes lost feeling in his legs.

His last memory was of his wife Mary-Lou helping him to the car before waking up more than three months later.

"After that I didn't remember anything until December 23," he says.

Hughes in a coma in Medical ICU September, 2016.

The West Nile travelled to his spine which caused swelling in the brain and left Hughes in a coma for over three months.

After waking up Hughes began the long journey of learning how to speak again with the help of speech therapists. In total Hughes spent six months in ICU at Health Science Centre in Winnipeg before moving to rehab.

When he left ICU he could only move his left thumb. Over time Hughes regained his strength and mobility though he remains in a wheelchair. Though he can feel his legs again it's still a waiting game until he can walk again. Laying in bed for six months severely atrophied his muscles, he notes.

While West Nile can effect people differently, most never even feel any symptoms, Hughes suffered from one of the worst reactions.

Some of his doctors weren't sure if he'd survive. However, last October he was finally allowed to return home to continue his recovery.

Throughout his life, Hughes has worked in forestry in the deep bush of northern Manitoba, but doesn't look at his situation as "pay back".

"The mosquitoes have never bothered me, but this one mosquito with the virus found me, and that's all it takes."

Being out of commission has been especially hard for Hughes who is active in the community; he's served on the local fire department for 17 years, a scout leader for 20 years, and a councillor for nearly a decade.

Hughes currently serves the R.M of Roland as Reeve, and hopes to run again this fall.

"I care about my community, it's the only way to have a strong community," he says. "I just never expected a mosquito to put me in this situation."

Throughout his journey to recovery he thanks his family, "you can't ask for more than what they've given me."

The Hughes family photo taken Aug 17, 2015 on John and Mary-Lou's 25th wedding anniversary.

He also thanked the community for their support, both financial and spiritual through prayer.

"It has changed my life completely," he says of the illness. "Everyday I hope I get back my ability to walk... that will be monumental."

In the end, he cautions people to protect themselves against mosquitoes when outdoors, but says the experience won't keep him inside for the rest of his life.

"I'm not giving up on my time outside," he says.