Hello. My name is Shea, and I’ve not done this before - asking people to donate money that is. But, ultimately, the money is not for myself. It is for the my partner Greg House. Today marks two weeks since we first arrived to the ER via ambulance, and he has been in the ICU ever since.

Today is also the two year anniversary of when we first reconnected, sparking a romance neither of us had been looking for. October 7th, 2024 my beloved cat of 18 years passed on. Greg being the sweet, kindhearted man that he is, reached out to me to make sure I was ok (despite us not having spoken in some time).

Facebook messages turned into text messages, which turned into dates, which blossomed into a playful, delightful, yet strong partnership built on mutual understanding, complimentary neurosis, and a shared love of nerd culture.

The morning of Tuesday September 22nd 2026, Greg woke up with the sensation of pins-and-needles in his hands and feet, like the feeling of when a limb “falls asleep” he said. By Tuesday evening he could no longer walk or stand on his own. 24 hours later he lost the use of his arms, and by Saturday the 26th he lost the use of his diaphragm and had to be intubated.

The diagnosis as it stands is “Guillain-Barré syndrome” or “GBS”. It is a rare neurological disorder in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your peripheral nerves (the nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord). Greg at this time is effectively paralyzed from the shoulders down, and while he remains intubated he is unable to speak. His cognition is not diminished - when he is awake he is trapped inside the prison of his body, unable to move or communicate beyond the “yes” or “no” of a thumbs-up or head shake.

GBS is treatable, and most people eventually recover. However, the recovery process can take weeks, months, or even years. There may be lasting effects, but currently it is too early to know how Greg will fair in that regard.

As most of his friends and family know, Greg is a DJ and multimedia artist, with deep roots in the music and nightlife industry in Chicago, and a touch of local celebrity. For the past few years he has worked for himself as an independent contractor, and was greatly enjoying the freedom this offered him.

Unfortunately, this means when Greg isn’t working he has no regular flow of income, nor does he have PTO or disability benefits to fall back on. Due to the GBS, Greg in all likelihood may not be able to work in a traditional capacity for upwards of a calendar year, or possibly longer.

This is why I am now humbly asking for assistance on his behalf. I am hoping at this time to raise enough funds to cover his deductible and out-of-pocket maximums for 2026 and 2027, 6 months of rent, utilities and living expenses, and a small buffer for any unexpected calamities along the way to his recovery.

Please donate what you can. Greg is going to need all the resources we can gather for the battle he is currently fighting, and the journey to finding his new normal after.