Valley man spreading awareness about Guillain-Barré Syndrome

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Turning symptom into action.

It's been 8 years since Rob Vasquez was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

"It's been a agelong journey," said Cheryl Vasquez, Rob's wife. "For him, for our household and specified loving friends."

In January 2017, Rob felt anemic successful his legs and had a tingling sensation successful his mouth. These are symptoms of the condition.

"I didn't cognize what was going on," said Vasquez.

Then weeks later, erstwhile Rob tried getting retired of bed, helium fell to the floor. His woman and lad rushed him to the exigency room. After immoderate testing, doctors diagnosed Rob with GBS.

He was admitted to the intensive attraction unit, wherever helium stayed for a period and a half.

As Rob and Cheryl sat with Action News, she recalled those terrifying moments.

"While helium was admitted into the ICU, helium was wholly paralyzed," said Cheryl. "The lone happening helium could determination were his eyes. We communicated with him done a missive board."

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is simply a uncommon information that attacks a person's nerves. It tin pb to musculus weakness and sometimes paralysis. When Rob was yet capable to spell home, his household turned portion of their location into a infirmary room.

"He was inactive paralyzed," said Cheryl. "On a feeding conduit and had a trach. He had different machines we had to use."

His household learned however to instrumentality attraction of him. After carnal therapy, Rob is yet capable to walk, but with immoderate support.

"My genu brace helps maine with hyperextension due to the fact that it goes backward successful a bow," said Rob.

"They don't spell guardant similar everybody else's. They assistance maine enactment much unchangeable and sturdy."

Rob's disablement doesn't specify him. He is present taking action, spreading consciousness astir GBS.

"I big a Guillain-Barré Syndrome Walk each March," said Rob. "It's been held since 2018. I was inactive successful a walker and successful a wheelchair. But I've been holding that since I recovered the GBS/CIDP Foundation."

Because everyone needs assistance and idiosyncratic successful their corner.

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