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Stacey Baker's Run For a Reason
My experience with GBS may have been 10 years ago, but I will
always remember it as if it were yesterday. It was an incredible
time that has changed my life forever.It was my senior year in
high school. What an exciting time. My volleyball team was headed
into tournaments and we were expecting another visit to the state
finals. Dances, football games, senior pictures, and prom where
all in the near future. But apparently there was another plan
for me.
I woke up one morning fatigued and achy and throughout the next
couple weeks. I went to the ER several times which resulted in
treatment for the flu. The seriousness of the situation culminated
when I was unable to climb the stairs at school and fell asleep
in class. I was fatigued and dazed, barely able to crawl out of
bed in the days after. Something was very wrong.
After a short visit to the emergency room at Akron Children's
Hospital in Ohio, Dr. Blaise Congeni had me admitted and treatment
began that very evening. By this time, I had succumbed to full-body
paralysis and was hardly speaking. IVIG treatment seemed to stop
the progression over the next five days. Everything else was blur
of pain, frustration, and confusion.
I can't tell you how scared and helpless I felt at that time,
but some of you may know. I had no control over anything. We didn't
know what was wrong or what would come next. Luckily, my mother
was proactive and immediately started researching.
I remember struggling through therapy, and finally making it home
after several weeks. Every recovery story has something special.
One last hurtle to overcome. Mine is that I have finally come
full circle. Accepting my illness and using it to relate to people
on a daily basis. As an Exercise Physiologist and Licensed Massage
Therapist, I spend each day working with people struggling with
multiple debilitating health issues. Whether using my experience
with GBS directly or just being a supportive listener, GBS has
given me a new perspective on every situation my days present.
It's been a gift in disguise.
It has made me humble, appreciative, patient, and understanding.
And without GBS changing my life 10 years ago, I would have never
grown to be the person that I am today. I'm proud of who've I've
become and what I've overcome. I don't think I've gone a day without
reaping the rewards of my illness. Yes, you've read that right.
Rewards. You're probably wondering why I'm so upbeat about all
of this…
Without the work of the GBS Foundation International, I would
have never had the opportunity to read the latest research and
attend support groups. In order to give back, I'd like you to
support me during the February events.
An update from Stacey
I'd like to sincerely thank everyone for making my Myrtle Beach
Run for a Reason event so wonderful.
First, I'd like to thank the GBS-CIDP Foundation International
for making all of this possible. Our endeavor started out with
just a phone call to confirm a mailing address and then became
an incredible fundraising experience! Thank you GBSFI for your
wonderful support and continued efforts to make this possible
for others. The web page was amazing.
I'd like to thank all the family, friends, and new friends that
took the time to contribute to my cause. It takes a kind and caring
heart to donate, and you all have done just that. With giving
hearts, we truly can receive. So thank you for something so small
yet so big. Your donations will yield immeasurable positive results!
And finally I'd like to thank my family. My mom (Kathy Baker)
and my dad (Bob Baker) have been through so much these past 10
years as I've struggled to break away from the effects of GBS.
They've continued to stay strong when I was at my weakest. They've
stood by be when things were at their worst. And most of all,
they've believed in me. No matter what I've set out to achieve,
my parents have invested time, patience, and love for me to succeed.
So thank you mom and dad. I love you!
Thank you, Stacey Baker
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Congratulations
to Rachel!
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I fell sick with GBS in March 2006 when I was 23. I was in
and out of the hospital for a week with what the doctors thought
was a back injury. Then when I couldn't walk and my face went
paralyzed I was admitted to the hospital. I only stayed in
the hospital for one week before they sent me home. I lived
with my parents for a few months so they could help take care
of me and I had physical, occupational and speech therapy
for about 6 months. I am fully recovered now except for some
numbness in the tips of my toes and I get fatigue still. The
doctors, nurses and therapists all said that I recovered so
well and so quickly because I was young, athletic and determined
to get better. Plus I had a lot of support from a strong network
of family and friends.
When I was in therapy recovering during the summer of 2006
I decided that I was going to run the Detroit Marathon again
(I ran it in 2004) to prove I was better. I was too weak still
in 2006 to train for or run the marathon so I had to wait
until this year. I decided to raise money for the GBS/CIDP
Foundation International after having been to the symposium
in Phoenix in 2006. Going to that meeting really helped me
to realize I wasn't alone and that what I was going through
was normal.
I sent an email out to my family and friends about two weeks
before the marathon explaining that I was running the marathon
in order to raise money for the GBS/CIDP Foundation with instructions
on how to donate. My boyfriend, Joe, who ran the marathon
with me, and I had "Team GBS/CIDP" running shirts made and
I also had t-shirts made for our family and friends who came
to watch. My shirt read "2006: Paralyzed with GBS, Today:
26.2 Miles, Running because I can!" and the other shirt read
"Running for those who can't because of GBS/CIDP" on the back.
The marathon was hard but also a lot of fun! We finished
in 4:27.42, beating my goal of 4:30.00. I had several people
ask me during the race what GBS was and some people who already
knew expressed how amazed they were that I was able to run
a marathon just a year later. Overall training for this race
was a lot harder than the first time I did it because I would
get fatigued but it meant much more this time. When I crossed
the finish line I hugged my boyfriend and cried and said "I'm
not paralyzed anymore." The best part was knowing that I got
better because of all the people in my life who helped support
and encourage me though.
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Teens with GBS/CIDP!
We need your help!
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We are trying to create a booklet that explains
GBS and CIDP and how teens can deal with them. The success of
this project depends upon the input we get from you regarding
your experiences. The more information we have from teens the
better the book.
Please tell us your stories and share with us your experiences
with GBS or CIDP. Our goal is to create a book that helps teens
to understand GBS or CIDP and also learn how to cope with the
disorder. Let us know what the toughest part of your illness
was and the best ways of dealing with it. What helped you through
the ordeal? Do you have any tips that would help other teens?
By giving us your stories and thoughts we can create a better
finished product that really helps other teens.
We encourage you to provide as much information as possible.
It is important to us that your voices are heard. If you would
like to tell us your story please email it to info@gbs-cidp.org
and title the subject GBS/CIDP Teen Book. Thanks
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2007
Walk-a-thon in Winston-Salem, NC
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A Walk-a-thon in Winston-Salem, NC was held on
May 19th.
To the right is a picture from the walk.
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Click on picture for larger view |
2007 Walk-a-thon in Philadelphia, PA
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A successful Walk-a-thon was
held for the Philadelphia area on June 10th at the Oxford Valley
Mall.
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Click on pictures for larger view
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2007 Walk-a-thon in San Antonio, TX
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| A Walk-a-thon in San Antonio was held at Oliver
Wendell Holmes HS Track on May 19th. Pictured at the far left
is Josie Munoz, the area liaison. |

Click on picture for larger view
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2007
Walk-a-thon in Charlotte, NC
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What a wonderful “happening” it was! The Charlotte,
NC Walk/Run on May 12th was a huge success. The event was spearheaded
by chapter liaison Hannah Blanton, with help from many volunteers
including Scott Poole, Jeff Walenczyk and
co-liaison Kristin Prentiss. There were 344 people who turned
out: 158 walked the Miracle Mile, 186 ran a 5K Run – an
added event. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory welcomed the walkers/runners.
The Foundation sends a big thank you to all who participated.
The Walk/Run netted about $25,000 for the GBS/CIDP Foundation
International and added to the awareness of both GBS and CIDP.
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| Click on the pictures for a larger view. (Photos
contributed by Hannah Blanton) |
Making money for GBS/CIDP Foundation International
– and anyone can help!
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A search engine entitled GoodSearch will send the Foundation one
cent for every search made with their search engine. We have checked
and double checked GoodSearch and it is 100% legit.
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine, with a
unique social mission… every time you use GoodSearch.com,
money is generated for our cause.
GoodSearch donates half its revenue, about a penny per search
to charities. Now you might think what difference is a penny
going to make? Well if 1,000 supporters searched just twice
a day, we would receive an estimated $7,300 per year.
Remember GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo so you get the same
proven, high-quality results.
To take advantage of this opportunity go to www.goodsearch.com
and be sure to enter GBS/CIDP Foundation International
as the charity you want to support. The more people who use
this site, the more money we will receive, so please spread
the word. Once you set GBS/CIDP Foundation as your default charity
all you need to do is get the GoodSearch toolbar for your browser.
Thank you in advance for taking a second to set this up and
help us in continuing to make a difference.
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