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Bob's Story:
Four years ago I was healthy, fit, enjoying life with
my beautiful wife, 3-yr-old daughter, and 6-month-old
son. Along came GBS- Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Yea, tough one to pronounce-I had it for two weeks
before I could pronounce it correctly, let alone understand
what was happening to my body. I went from normal
to weak to falling down to lying in a hospital bed
in two days. I was scared, in pain, and uncertain
of my future.
So there I was, a lifelong athlete, unable to hold
my son, unable to walk. People say things happen for
a reason-I think things happen, and we give them a
reason. Rollover and wallow in self-pity or face it
head on. I chose the latter. Sure, there were times.
Like when I took a turn for the worse at the hospital,
attempted to walk to convince myself that it wasn�t
happening, only to fall and lay on the cold floor
until a nurse came to my rescue. I sobbed, sobbed
that day. I cried, hard when I felt the weight of
it all, while sitting on my living room couch the
day I got home from the hospital. With determination,
a positive attitude, and God�s grace, I began the
long journey back. I was given a walker and a handicap
parking pass-both of which I was determined to discard
ASAP. I used the handicap pass once, because after
all, those are for handicap people. I soon said goodbye
to my walker. I will always appreciate how difficult
it is to rely on one, to be on the other end of those
stares from people who are both sympathetic and thankful
they aren�t you. I was lucky-I have an amazing doctor
who made a rapid diagnosis. I had great nurses who,
after failed attempts with immunoglobulin therapy,
administered the plasmapherisis treatments that greatly
reduced the time that I spent suffering and recovering.
Most of all, I�m blessed with great friends and an
amazing family, led by my hero and best friend, my
wife Michelle.
That seems like another lifetime, but yet, like yesterday.
I�m nearly 40 now, and in the best shape of my life.
I always enjoyed running, but since GBS, it�s the
needle in my veins, my drug, my lifeline, my passion.
With a recent marathon time of 3 hours, 11 minutes,
I qualified for the Boston Marathon and will run it
in April. Marathons are great but hey-anyone can run
a marathon-right? With the end of my 40th year, I
intend to celebrate in a rather unique way. �40 at
40.� Yea, 40 years old-40 miles of running. In true
Vegas fashion, I�ll be taken for a ride in the desert
and dropped off 40 miles from home. As I run home,
I will conquer another of life�s challenges and hopefully
inspire others. I hope to show anyone with GBS or
in recovery from GBS that it isn�t a life sentence-the
only thing between them and recovery is their attitude.
Choose your weather, choose your destiny. I hope to
inspire those who�ve never had GBS. If I can do it,
you can do it. Get off the couch, no excuses-you can�t
afford not to make time for an active and full life.
Do it for your health-physical and mental. I once
read something that just fits, and you�re free to
substitute your passion in place of my running: �I
don�t run to add days to my life-I run to add life
to my days.�
-Bob Ballard
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