04/28/2022
I am walking in this walk for the first time, not by choice, but because it was virtual the last two years. A little over three years ago, I became suddenly ill with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Within 11 days, I was unable to do almost anything on my own. I did not have any strength. It took the doctors that long to diagnose me, and that diagnosis was after a return trip to the hospital. I was told that with my description of the symptoms they were able to diagnose and then treat me with IVIG's. The next morning after my first treatment I was getting a little strength back. But there is a long road to recovery with this illness. I had to learn how to use my hands again, just washing them was a chore. I had very little control.
Now I am able to type again, I regularly go for long walks, and I would say that I am about 85% back to the state I was in before. I will never get my eyesight back in my left eye. That was caused by an eye stroke that coincidentally happened at the same time. I do have about 40% so that is something. The rest is a blank slate of nothingness. I would say I am much weaker than before, and have had some newer neurological issues. But I can walk and talk and breathe, and I never had to have a trach in my throat to breathe. I am quite grateful for that. Living life one day at a time.
I am trying to raise at least $100 for research for this illness as it is still considered rare and doctors don't really know enough about it yet. Vaccines can certainly cause it to happen, but mine was caused by a sinus infection. This illness causes your immune system to attack your nervous system, causing eventual paralysis and need for life support. You can die from this.
So if you can, please support me in my walk to fund more research. It can happen to anyone, at any time. Thank you in advance for your sponsorship.
The Walk and Roll for GBS-CIDP is the new signature walk fundraising campaign of the GBS-CIDP Foundation International.