There are very few sure things in life when you suddenly find yourself almost completely paralyzed and confined to a bed, which, albeit quite comfy and adjustable, is still in the ICU of Wycoff-Heights hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

On the 7th of September I couldn't sleep because of a burning pain in the muscles of my legs. On the 8th of September I had a severe case of pins and needles in my hands and feet. On the 10th, I began the quick slide towards functional paralysis. Unable to turn the doorknob to leave my room, I just barely made it to get the phone to call 911. One ambulance ride later, and I was at the ER, completely unable to move my arms or legs.

Thanks to Dr. Mendiratta I was diagnosed quickly with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Over the next weeks, I became worse before I eventually recovered.

There was, however, one sure thing that I believed in throughout my month long hospital stay...

I will get better.

And you know what... I was right. Because I had such a fantastically supportive network of family and friends, I've worked my way back to being an almost fully functional dude.

I cannot thank everyone enough in words. I'm alive because of all of you!

Thank you

All the best in the new year,
an extremely gracious,

-Alex

 

Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an auto-immune syndrome that strikes thousands of people a year in the US alone and we really don't know why. Most people who deal with GBS don't recover as quick as I do and many are permanently affected.

Want to find out more about Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

To donate to a Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) scholarship foundation, go here.