Help Wyatt Walk Again

On February 5, my cousin Wyatt walked into the Emergency Room. He was experiencing tingling in his extremities and torso, this seemingly an auto-immune response to a stomach virus he had recently experienced. He was admitted to the hospital (UR Strong) in the neurology department. By the next day, symptoms had deteriorated so much that he could no longer walk.

Wyatt is 29.

Initially thinking some form of MS, the sudden onset had medical staff puzzled. Several procedures, tests, and nearly 2 months in the hospital later, spending 3 weeks in the neurology wing and 4+ weeks in neurology rehab, doctors have diagnosed the condition as transverse myelitis.

Many people with transverse myelitis have at least partial recovery. Full recovery is possible, and in cases where this happens, it usually takes upwards of a year or longer. While timetables and outcomes are never fully known or clear, what is certain is that in any event, there will be a significant commitment of time, medical care, and financial resources on the path to recovery. Wyatt and his parents, my aunt and uncle, have been briefed by doctors on the possibility that Wyatt will be in a wheelchair for life. If I know my cousin, he has other plans and is going to put up the fight of his life. With courage and tenacity, Wyatt is giving his recovery effort 100%. A better attitude and fighter spirit you won’t find.

Progress is happening but there’s a long road ahead. At the beginning, Wyatt had no feeling at all in his legs, now he is able to apply pressure to small degrees– which is a huge leap and one to celebrate. But there is significant inflammation of the spine and nerve damage that will take significant time and treatment to heal. Wyatt and his family have the strength and spirit to get through this.

What will allow them to focus on the important work of recovery is not having to worry or stress about how they will cover the costs required to give Wyatt the best chance for the best possible outcome. In this aim, I hope you’ll join me.

Our goal is to help Wyatt walk again. Please consider contributing whatever you are able to help alleviate the enormous financial burden already incurred, and that will be coming in the several months ahead, towards this goal.

Together, we can make a huge difference and be an enormous blessing to Wyatt and his family.

Here’s to Wyatt walking again – and that maybe (just maybe) by his 30th birthday, he’ll not just walk again, he’ll dance. I’ll be right there dancing with him.

On behalf of Wyatt, and the entire family, THANK YOU in advance, for your generosity, love and support!