Fighting for Robert With GBS

About 7 months ago our family was blessed with our first grandson Samuel from young parents Robert Villarreal (24) and Taylor Callahan (20). Although young and faced with many adversities that young parents endure this little family is so full of love. Robert was growing his career in the banking industry and Taylor in the dental industry as she invested herself as a full time student. With a beautiful baby boy their focus of being the best parents and making plans for their future was taking shape. That all changed on June 12th 2016. What began as a beautiful Sunday soon would change the lives of our family within days. Robert and Taylor made plans to enjoy the day with friends playing disk golf on the north side of Jacksonville Florida. The evening came and went and everything was fine. The next day Robert seemed to be under the weather with either a cold or sinus infection. Robert mentioned he felt fatigued but pushed through and took medicine to feel better. Over the next few days Robert seemed to worsen in his symptoms to include numbness in his feet and hands as well heaviness in his leg muscles. As the end of the week approached he began losing his vision and could no longer stand without support. Robert was taken to a local hospital in Jacksonville and diagnosed as being dehydrated. The family did everything to fill him with the proper fluids but he got worse. On Saturday June 18th he fell stating he had limited mobility. By Sunday morning his first Father's Day with his son was spent admitting him into Jacksonville 's Mayo clinic within the neurology ward. It did not take long for the medical team to diagnose Robert with GBS. Gillan Barre syndrome. As the family tried to absorb the name of this illness we barely even knew what it was. Robert's body would soon show all of us the true meaning of GBS. GBS is a paralysis of his nerves that starts in the feet and travels upward through his body. Robert has limited feeling in his body and now face. He is bedridden and unable to walk or speak fluently. His love for his son can only be seen in his beautiful eyes as he cannot hold him like a young father should. 5 days of extensive treatment has not relieved his body of this horrific illness. Robert has been so strong in stature as he fights to recover all the while his vision of sharing a life with Taylor and his son Samuel seem hopeless at the moment. We have no idea what the outcome of GBS will do to Robert and our family but with our strong faith and determination we refuse to let the illness win. As young parents the medical bills are more than this family can endure right now .  From the extensive testings to aid in his recovery and the ongoing treatments we have no idea the financial impacts. Our hope is that his story will touch the lives of people who can contribute anything for this recovery so he can be the best father to his son Samuel. The hearts of our family thank you. The Villarreal family