After Visiting The Hospital With Numbness In His Feet And Hands, He Ended Up Paralyzed
Tempe, Arizona. Wendy Rosen has organized a heartfelt GoFundMe campaign for her brother, David– a fun-loving and adventurous husband, brother, uncle, and friend whose life completely changed after a freak visit to the hospital.
“On January 31, 2022, David was admitted to the hospital with numbness in his hands and feet. Within twelve hours, he was in the intensive care unit with total paralysis. He could only move his eyes,” Wendy wrote.
Twenty-four hours after his admission to the hospital, doctors diagnosed David with Guillain–Barre Syndrome– also known as GBS.
According to the Mayo Clinic, GBS is “a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body.”
David was treated via intravenous immunoglobulin, but his body’s reaction was not ideal. A plethora of other complications began to arise as well.
He had to be put on a ventilator to help him breathe, and then David was transferred over to a neurological ICU.
“Once at the new hospital, the doctors determined that David has the most severe form of GBS: the axonal variant,” Wendy explained.
“After taking him off of heavy sedation and providing movement treatment that the first hospital was not equipped with, he began to see some small but hopeful improvement.”
GoFundMe; pictured above is David
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David was able to communicate a one-syllable word and slightly move his arm. Then, the doctors took him off the ventilator after performing a tracheotomy.
In late March, David’s trach was finally removed after nearly 2 months of needing it.
Wendy and the rest of David’s family are optimistic about his recovery. It is undoubted that David’s journey to recovery will be long and trying, but they are hopeful nonetheless.
Wendy mentioned that David’s doctors anticipate that it could take him an entire year to learn how to talk and walk again, but he’s making strides already.
In a recent update posted by Wendy on May 11th, she shared that David has been able to stand up for 20 seconds and he is really making a lot of progress.
David and his husband, Paul, are regarded by Wendy as two of the most generous people she has ever known.
“They are the first people to show up– in big and small ways– when any of us are in need. They’re also the first people to celebrate life’s wins alongside us. They do not hesitate to open their hearts, homes, wallets, and themselves. Many of our lives are richer because of them,” Wendy said.
Through the GoFundMe, Wendy hopes to give back to this selfless couple and rally a community of supporters around David.
“Now is our chance to reciprocate their kindness, love, and generosity. No matter how small or large, any donation amount will be appreciated and go toward the substantial medical and rehabilitation costs that are already mounting,” Wendy said.
With a goal of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the GoFundMe campaign has already amassed over seventy thousand dollars in donations.
To donate, share, or simply stay updated on David’s road to recovery, visit the GoFundMe link here.
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