Jami and Cory need all the prayers and good thoughts, positive vibes, and help if that’s something you’re able to do too.

On July 17th, Cory began feeling sick and vomiting blood.

By July 22nd, things had gotten worse, and he went to the hospital.

After several tests, doctors thought he was in the clear and prepared to discharge him on July 25th, but when Cory stood up to leave, he collapsed.

He couldn’t walk.

More scans, MRIs, and a spinal tap later, Cory finally got a diagnosis on July 29th: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder (1 in 100,000) where the body attacks its own nervous system (the network of nerves that carries signals from the brain to the rest of the body).

It begins suddenly and can increase in intensity over a period of hours, days, or weeks until certain muscles can’t be used at all.

Some cases are very mild and only marked by brief weakness.

Others cause paralysis, leaving the person unable to breathe on their own.

In these cases, the disorder is life-threatening, potentially interfering with breathing, blood pressure, or heart rate. As terrifying as this is, most people do recover from even the most severe forms of GBS, but it’s a long and uncertain journey.

For Cory, it hit hard.

He is now in the ICU on a ventilator, unable to breathe on his own, battling pneumonia, and sedated much of the time. He has very limited use of his arms and communicates briefly via whiteboard before the pain becomes too much.

As if this situation isn’t challenging enough, Jami has a full-time job and 3 children with autism. She can’t be with her husband in the hospital because she has to work while scrambling to find someone to care for her children. Then, she has to care for her children, so she is unable to be with him in the hospital.

We don’t know how long Cory will be in the ICU, or how long it will take to recover, but we do know that rehabilitation will be intense. He may need to re-learn how to walk, drive, and more. Their home may need to be made accessible. A modified vehicle may be necessary down the road. There are many uncertainties with this.

Many of you have asked how to help. The truth is: we need you.

If you can donate, any amount will help Jami and Cory navigate the road ahead.

If you can’t, please continue sending prayers, love, and strength. That matters, too.

This will be a long recovery, but we’re hopeful.

And with your support, we can help carry this family through.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

*No goods or services will be provided in exchange for donations. This is a personal fundraiser to assist with ongoing care and recovery needs. Every dollar goes towards helping The Johnsons get the care/support they need.