Adam Schapaugh fighting Guillian Barre

Hello. My name is Lori Davis. I am fundraising for my brother in law and sister, Adam and Jami Schapaugh.

Adam Schapaugh returned from work travel to a house with sick kiddos. He caught their common cold virus and was sick for a few days. No one could have predicted that in less than 36 hours, Adam would be fully paralyzed.

In the Neurology ICU, Adam was immediately intubated. The paralysis had moved from tingling in the feet and hands to an inability to breathe on his own. He was then diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS). While fighting a simple virus, Adam's immune system triggered an autoimmune response that leads the body to attack it's own peripheral nervous system. As the membranes surrounding the nerves are damaged, muscles are weakened and nerves no longer communicate. GBS is very rare and only effects approximately 3,000 people per year. There are varying types and severity levels of GBS. Unfortunately, Adam's case of GBS is the highest level of severity.

The Good News: Most patients with GBS, even the most severe cases like Adam's, make a full and complete recovery. Knowing this has been incredibly hopeful for our families. We know that while 23 days in the Neuro ICU is scary, he will eventually make a full recovery.

The Bad News: Adam's road to recovery will be a long game. He will be on a trach and feeding tube for a while while his body can mend itself enough to reverse the paralysis. This means specialized long term care facilities for the next month or two. After that, he will be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. For a specialized GBS treatment facility, the family may have to travel to Chicago or Colorado. This rehabilitation process could take more than a year we are told.

While The Schapaugh's are usually proud DIYers that like to be on the giving end and not the receiving end, the need for their family is too great for them to handle alone. Even with Adam's insurance benefits and short term disability, the ICU co-payments, travel, home adaptation/ADA requirements, and other surprise costs are looming. We hope that in setting up this Go Fund Me account we can help Adam concentrate on his recovery and not the financial burden placed on this family. My hope is to create an emergency account in preparation for the long road ahead.

We will also use this page for updates on Adam's condition as they come.

Thank you to those of you that have already done so much for my sister's family. When I flew in that first week, I was overwelmed by the offers to take the children, cook meals, drop off gift cards, and words of love. Sometimes in tragedy we see how lovely our community of friends and family are. Thank you.

Please consider making a donation to the Schapaugh Family as Adam battles GBS.