Help Rico Booker Overcome Guillain-Barré Syndrome

⸻

Help Rico Booker Recover from Guillain-Barré Syndrome

On August 22nd, 2024, Rico Booker’s life took an unexpected and devastating turn. What started as a simple hospital visit for a migraine quickly escalated into a nightmare. By August 24th, he was on life support, diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome—a rare and severe neurological disorder that left him fighting for his life.

Rico spent two months at Good Samaritan Hospital, battling total paralysis and on life support, a ventilator, and a feeding tube. On October 18th, he was transferred to Christ Hospital Select, where he endured another three months of intensive care, once again facing the terrifying cycle of life support. But Rico is a fighter and was eventually helped by IVIG infusions, an immunoglobulin treatment that is effective in treating various autoimmune conditions. Over time, he gradually regained use of his hands and body, thanks to the infusions.

After months of unimaginable hardship, he was moved to Encompass Health for rehabilitation on February 6th, 2025. With sheer determination, medical care, and the support of his wife Tonia and loved ones, Rico made enough progress to return home on February 28th. While this was a huge milestone, it was short lived.

After returning home, Rico's insurance company denied his doctor's orders for additional IVIG infusions, and over the course of the last month, his condition has gradually deteriorated to the point that he is now dealing with paralysis again and was returned to the hospital yesterday.

Rico now faces the long road of recovery, requiring ongoing therapy, medical treatments, and assistance to regain his strength and independence. We are confident the insurance company will now do the moral thing and cover the IVIG treatments, but the emotional and financial toll of this battle has been overwhelming for Rico and Tonia, and they really need the support of their loved ones and community. If you can help, they would be immensely grateful.