Amelia’s Fight Against Guillain-Barré Syndrome
People come into our lives for a reason. In August 2018, I met Lauren & Amelia Pryor and knew our lives would be forever changed. Lauren cared for my daughter, born just days after her own, with such confidence, love, and care. I will never forget her kindness, reassurance, and generosity, nor the bubbly then-18-month-old Amelia smiling from ear to ear who instantly loved my little one and made her feel safe. The Pryors are the most loving, selfless, and caring family - and they need our help.
On December 19, 2019, their world was turned upside down when the Pryor’s 2-year-old daughter, Amelia, was suddenly in extreme pain. Discomfort progressed over the next 36 hours to soreness in her legs which quickly developed into an inability to put any weight on her legs at all. Even trying to get Amelia in the car seat for hospital visits was overwhelmingly painful and traumatizing for all.
By December 21st, they were in the ER. After countless tests over two days, Amelia was diagnosed with transient synovitis, residual fluid in her hip from a viral infection, and subsequently sent home.
On December 26th, on a mother’s instincts, they were back in the ER. Tests were confirmed and they were sent home within a few hours with the same diagnosis - and a glimmer of hope that she would get better with time.
Agonizing days without a diagnosis or a way to alleviate Amelia’s pain and immobility took a turn for the worse when a mysterious paralysis began to set in. Lauren & Jeff were determined to find answers for Amelia, traveling to New York Presbyterian Hospital on New Year’s Eve to see a specialist in rheumatology. After a spinal tap and more invasive testing, their fears were confirmed and Amelia was admitted to the PICU for intravenous immunoglobulin under Phase 1 of treatment for the next several days.
Amelia was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a very rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, affects 8 in 100,000 annually.
On January 4th, Amelia was transferred to an inpatient facility that would be able to provide her the physical and occupational therapy she needed to continue her treatment’s second phase. They will continue her treatment there for the next few weeks. 
The Pryor Family, separated and struggling for weeks, with one parent in the hospital with Amelia and the other parent home with their 11-month old son, Easton, needs their greater village to bridge the gap. Their work and lives have been thrown into disarray with Jeff having to completely rearrange his work schedule and Lauren giving up her business entirely. They have endured physical, emotional, and financial hardships, with no end to their troubles in sight.
Please help this incredible family as they positively overcome the unthinkable, led by their smiling, courageous Amelia who has never wavered in spirit.