On Sept. 13 Connor was taken to Rush Medical Hospital with signs of confusion, disorientation and weakness. Upon arrival in the ER, they began an extensive workup to determine what was making Connor so sick. Initially, doctors thought it was a form of meningitis and he was admitted into the ICU. However, not all of his symptoms aligned with a meningitis diagnosis, so more tests were ordered, while he simultaneously grew sicker. By Sept. 17 Connor could no longer speak or move and he was having trouble breathing on his own. Connor was placed on a ventilator on the evening of Sept. 17.

The ICU team were still unsure of his diagnosis as nothing was aligning with the tests and his symptoms. They then began treatment for auto immune encephalitis and monitored him closely in the Neuro ICU. After this treatment, he did start to open his eyes and seemed to be recognizing family members. A small win! He then started to show slight signs of movement. However, he is still needing the ventilator as he is not initiating enough breaths on his own. Due to the amount of time Connor has been on the ventilator he has now been given a tracheotomy.

Finally after 3 weeks of being in the ICU, one of the tests came back. Connor has West Nile Virus causing the encephalitis. West Nile is often transmitted from a mosquito bite (yes, even in Chicago). He has made small improvements but it will be awhile with a lot of rehab before he can get off the ventilator and hopefully more mobility.

Since Connor was admitted to the ER, his Dad has remained by his side in Chicago and will continue to for the foreseeable future. Connor's family lives in Detroit, including his Dad, and has been making every effort to be with him as much as possible.

Prior to this illness, Connor had just recently started a new job and was not yet on company insurance. The hospital stay alone has been costly as they ran so many tests to figure out what was happening. And after his hopeful recovery, he will need extensive rehab, both inpatient and outpatient.

I am asking for help to Connor and his family to aid with hospital bills and hopefully rehab. The Flynn heritage is known for their fight and we know Connor will continue to but we want to help give him all the tools to get there.