Living with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

In the beginning of second grade it all started after a case of pnuemonia. When I was better I went to school and my legs started getting weaker as the day went on. That night I had these horrible tingling sensations going through my legs and I started seeing double vision.

After many many doctor visits, trips to the lab, and a spinal tap, I was diagnosed with GBS By this time I was pretty much paralyzed from the neck down and was hospitalized in case it spread further to my respiratory system. Thank God it didn’t. I was treated with iv’s “Gamma Globulin” for a few days and I was released from the hospital.

It was a long recovery at home. I spent most of the days watching my friends play outside in a wheelchair when one day I just knew that I could walk again. I stood up on my own and walked across the room. I didn’t get far but it felt like the weight of the world was lifted off of me and though there still many frustrating moments ahead it was all down hill from there. Today, 17 years later I feel better and the only risidual from this is a slight pigeon toe limp after excersise or sports.

My prayers are with anyone going through this. It does get better.