Save a hero!

This is Leon Valdez. Leon is a Firefighter with Cal Fire, Riverside Unit, a father of 2 and a loving son, brother, boyfriend and friend. A few weeks ago, Leon had flu like symptoms. 2 days after it went away, he started getting tingling sensations on his toes and fingers. As days went by, the symptoms got worse. By that following Friday, Leon drove himself to the Hospital and was admitted. After 2 days of being in the hospital, they had discharged him. By that Monday morning when he woke up, he was unable to walk, and his muscles were very weak. He was then rushed to his primary Doctor, who then determined that this was something serious and to take him into Loma Linda University Hospital immediately. After being seen at the Hospital, the Doctors were able to diagnose Leon with what is called GBS or Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed, in these cases, the disorder is life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The patient is often put on a ventilator to assist with breathing. Most patients, however, recover from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), although some continue to have some degree of weakness. Guillain-Barre syndrome affects 1-100,000 people. Leon They have him on antibiotics but his pain is excruciating. He says he feels his body burning from head to toe. It's pretty much the infection attacking his nerves. It is a life threatening illness but because he is young, he has a good chance of making a full recovery; of course physical therapy will be part of his recovery process. So far Loma Linda and their staff members have been amazing!! In a few weeks, his daughter will be having a procedure done on her brain to stop her seizures. That will leave both parents without jobs for a while. We would like to ask for any donations, no donation is too small! We understand not everyone can so we ask for thoughts and prayers. We want him home with his family and close friends!! This has been such a hard time for all his loved ones. He is a big man with such a big heart. Thank you everyone!! Too learn more about GBS click on the link below http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/gbs.htm