Living with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

My name is Jennifer, I was diagnosed with Guillian Barre when I was in grade 1. One morning I tried to stand up and go to the bathroom, and I could not move my legs. It was so strange because the previous day I still played with my sister, I remember being more tired then usual, but I could still walk.

The illness got worse and worse, eventually after several tests I was diagnosed and I had Guillian Barre, it was terrible. I could not walk, I could not move my arms and eventually I was paralyzed. I could not eat by myself, it was so severe that I choked on a teaspoon of water. It was very bad, I was 7 years old and could not play outside, like all my friends and siblings. After 1 and a half years in hospital I went home. I could walk but not for long periods at a time. My mother had to push me around in a pram.

Today at 23, with the love and strengh of God I am able to walk and do about just anything that a normal 23 year old can do. I just pray to God that I never get this illness again. It was the most terrible stage in my life.

Now I’m trying to find out if this illness is genetic. Also I wonder if you can have this illness more then once and what you can do to prevent it from coming back.

Thank you and God Bless