Youth, Teen and Young Adults Patient Stories

Sharing Stories Can Help the Healing

“The destiny of the world is determined less by the battles that are lost and won than by the stories it loves and believes in.”

-Harold Goddard

If you would like to be included please email Kelly.McCoy@gbs-cidp.org. We would love to hear from you & share your journey!


Children with Guillain-Barré Syndrome

July 15, 2020

I was just five years old when I was diagnosed with GBS. It all started when I began falling and not being able to walk properly. I was an active five-year-old so my parents knew right away something wasn’t right. I was later taken into the hospital and a few days later diagnosed with GBS….

Isabella Herman – My Story

July 14, 2020

In March of 2013, I was a normal kid. Having just turned 10 years old, I was a ball of energy: always dancing and running around. My dreams of being a principal dancer were in full swing, and I was sure nothing could take that away from me. In April of that same year, this…

Saishna Budhathoki: #nevergiveup

February 3, 2020

“Will power and strong determination in our mind and heart can achieve every success that seems impossible” – Saishna Budhathoki Today, we share a story from Nepal. Meet 18-year-old, Saishna Budhathoki, a young woman who shares why she believes, “smiling really heals the greatest edge of pain.” I began my battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome when…

A Little Support Can Go a Long Way

September 16, 2019

“Volunteers from the GBS|CIDP Foundation, visited my friend Morgan in the hospital. I know that made all the difference in her recovery. She was very motivated and in very good spirits after the visit! We are so grateful!” – Virginia Vassalotti We are happy to introduce, friend and advocate, Virginia Vassolotti, and GBS patient Morgan…

Making Lemonade from Lemons

May 22, 2018

By Julie Zarou My son Taylor was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in June of 2016. At the time he was 7 years old and school was about to end for the year. He was so excited for summer to begin. He was hospitalized for 3 weeks and misdiagnosed with acute lyme disease and post-strep…

My seven year old son is my HERO

May 18, 2018

By Felicia Jones It was around Halloween of 2017 when we noticed Benjamin was more fatigued, cranky and just not acting himself. He would sleep as soon as he came home from school and was complaining of aches and pains, mainly located in his legs. Originally we thought the clumsiness and leg pain was a…

I Will Tryout for Cheerleading Again!

May 13, 2018

By Nancy Mallard At the age of 14, and just starting her freshman year in high school, our daughter Rachel came down with GBS. October of 2015 is a time that will always be etched in my mind. She was on a ventilator for 3 weeks, spent a month in MUSC Children’s Hospital, a month…

Mom will always be my Hero

May 3, 2018

By Christine Robinson My story goes back to 1965, when I was 5 years old. I am told I walked up to my mother and she was talking to her mother and asked, “Is Christine’s face supposed to be different on one side?” That observation lead me to being hospitalized for what they thought was…

My Wife, Caregiver and GBS Hero

May 1, 2018

By Jim Yadlon My name is Jim Yadlon and I am Recovered GBS patient. My battle with GBS was a long time ago, 1973-74. But one never forgets the gist of time with GBS even though I have forgotten some of the smaller details. One important detail that I will never forget is the love…

Paige Duffy’s Story

February 16, 2018

A New Outlook on Life 2016 was the most memorable year of my life. I had finally finished high school, I had gotten my first car, my first job, and my mum’s business was thriving. This year was also when I had been diagnosed with GBS. What had started as an amazing year ended as…

Christa’s Story

August 17, 2016

Hi, my name is Christa and I am 27 years old, and my journey started in 2013.  I had started a new job and noticed intense fiery pain in both my arms.  Instantly I thought, “maybe it’s carpal tunnel” and so my long arduous trips to the doctor began.  Eventually I was sent to a…

Amanda’s Story

February 1, 2016

My name is Amanda Guerrero.  Back in 2011, I was 24 years old, was living in an apartment with a friend in Santa Monica, and just starting my career as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse at UCLA Medical Center.  I was in the prime of my life.  This was all about to change.  On November…

Laura’s Story

October 2, 2014

The old adage “when life gives you lemons, just make some lemonade” has been a byline for Laura Dodd almost her entire life. At the young age of 12, Laura was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, CIDP, a condition similar to multiple sclerosis. The result was several years traveling from a wheelchair, to a…

Alexis’s Story

September 23, 2014

Alexis was 2 years old when she was affected by Guillain Barré syndrome a/k/a “GBS.” GBS is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Alexis started out with an ear infection and a few days later was unable to walk. We rushed her to the ER where, after a…