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I created this blog to sponser this website: http://www.gbsfi.com/

Why, do you ask? The answer is pretty simple, if not personal, as most of the people partaking in the Blogathan would agree and also say. For me, it would be because my mother was diagnosed with this syndrome in my early childhood after the 1984 Heppavax vaccine. At that time, there were less things they could do for patients with the syndrome, and it hit her nervous system really hard. The strong woman I knew who came home in a wheelchair and was unrecognizable. Even though I had to have only been around three years old, the image of her arms twisted in front of her will never fade from my memories. My mother would tell me stories about how she would sit and stare at the ceiling (as that was all she could do) and pray for death or full recovery to come. She endured many painful treatments, but got through it all in the end. Now, 20 some odd years later, you would never know she had suffered from this syndrome. If it was not for our family, volunteers, and doctors, she very well could have given up on herself. It just goes to show you that even the smallest help makes a difference, even if you do not think it is large. That is why I am participating in this Blogathon.

I have never done anything like this before, but I figured, what the hay? Even if I only get a couple of small pledges, it was well worth the time for me to write up this little blurb, at the very least. Additionally, blogging is fun and it costs me absolutely nothing to have the excuse to sit at my computer for a good cause!

So before you click out of this, I'd like to share with you a little bit about what Guillain Barré is. Most people I know have never heard of this, perhaps because it's classified as a syndrome and not a disease, however, it is still a very serious illness and affects about 2 in every 100,000 people. (Which, as it is not very known, should be, because that makes it the most common cause of rapidly acquired paralysis in the United States today!)

GBS is pronounced "Ghee-yan Bah-ray", and is also known as Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Landry's Ascending Paralysis, which is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves those outside the brain and spinal cord. It generally starts with a weakness or abnormal tingles in the arms and legs, affecting the muscles, chest, face and eyes. Most of the time it is very mild, but in cases like that of my mother it lead to serious paralyzation. Unusual progression of this disease is unpredictable and most newly diagnosed patients are hospitalized in intensive care units to monitor their breathing and other bodily function. It is treated, but not necessarily cured, by plasma exchanges (blood cleansing) and high doses of intravenous immune globulins.

The cause is GBS is still not known. Perhaps 50% of cases occur shortly after a microbial (viral or bacterial) infection such as a sore throat or diarrhea. Some theories suggest an autoimmune mechanism, in which the patient's defense system of antibodies and white blood cells are triggered into damaging the nerve covering or insulation, leading to weakness and abnormal sensation.

I know one survivor of this syndrome would be thrilled if you could donate some spare-change to the cause, and countless thousands who suffer from this illness every day. This is 100% charity event through http://www.blogathon.org/ and would go directly to the organization http://www.gbsfi.com/. Even if you can't find any pocket change to donate, you can still show your support by friending this journal to support of those with Guillain Barré Syndrome. Additionatelly, I would be happy to turn this into a support blog once the marathon is over!

Feel free to spread the word, and God Bless.


Big round of applause and thanks to the Pledgers!
yohshee
Sandi & Ed
Trish & Joe
Charlene
Steven's Hospital


Sponsor me!