<div>My younger brother, Adam, felt numbness and tingling in his hands and feet followed by severe back pain the weekend before July 4th, 2023. By the early morning on July 4th, instead of getting ready for fireworks &amp; BBQ, he was rushed urgently to the hospital where he quickly became paralyzed from the shoulders down followed by respiratory failure. He was intubated and required mechanical ventilation due to what was diagnosed as a very severe and aggressive case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
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<div>GBS is a rare (1 in 100,000 to 200,000) and serious acute immune-mediated disorder that attacks the nervous system, causing muscle weakness, numbness, pain and paralysis. Adam's case is so severe, that not only was he paralyzed but his heart stopped several times and he required a pacemaker and something called ECMO, which is the highest form of life support, in the ICU for several weeks.
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<div>As you can imagine, this has devastated Adam, his family, his friends, and his community. He has two amazing children, my niece and nephew, who are teenagers and need him now more than ever.
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<div>The good news is that he survived the first month and a half; first in the ICU followed by transfer to a long-term acute care facility, where he is starting to make slow but steady progress. He has a trach and feeding tube, but with close monitoring and cautious optimism, these things will be removed someday soon. He is starting to move his limbs and is very determined to speed up this slow process as much as is humanly possible. GBS is slow-moving, and most people can regain 80-100% of their function within about a year and a half; as such it will take several months to recuperate to the point of independence.
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<div>Adam is our "baby" brother. My older brother, Larry, and myself are at Adam’s side daily. Medical, financial, and personal monetary obligations are immense and another weight we cannot afford for him to have on his shoulders.
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<div>We all know Adam is optimistic and a fighter. His doctors attribute his strength and ability to pull through off of ECMO to his "Spartan Mentality," as he's competed in several Spartan races over the years. He is charitable, a kind soul, and gives of himself to many causes, including his fraternity, as a Spartan Race Ambassador, and many hours at soup kitchens with his children.
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<div>Many people from different parts of his life have asked me if he has a GoFundMe page.
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<div>I am hoping we can all come together and help him out during this unexpected and unpredictable time.
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<div>Family is starting this GoFundMe campaign to help Adam cover expenses that are arising while he is incapacitated and during his recovery. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference.
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<div>In his FB intro, he emphatically stated "2023 will be an F Yeah, Great Vibes, Great Energy Year! Nothing else accepted! I have spoken"
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<div>Isn't it John Lennon who said "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans?"
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<div>Please help Adam to raise his energy and bring great vibes to fight GBS, get back his nervous system, and get back his life, so that he can literally move into 2024 with less burden.
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<div>The funds raised will be used for:
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<div>*Medical fees/bills
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<div>*Mortgage/basic bills
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<div>*Expenses related to his children
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<div>* Any other unforeseen expenses related to Adam's recovery
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Ric Perez

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Help Adam Fight Aggressive Guillian-Barre Syndrome

Help Adam Fight Aggressive Guillian-Barre Syndrome

Still $54,406 to go. Help us build momentum.