Tyler Corriveau’s fight to beat GB Syndrome

Hi my name is Tori Corriveau, and I’ve created this fundraiser on behalf of my brother Tyler Corriveau. Tyler is a 23 year old from Plainville, CT is currently in the Army Reserves and worked for Hartford Hospital as a patient care assistant and physical therapy aide.

In January Tyler was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). He started to get weak and lost the ability to walk and use his hands. Tyler ended up falling on his fiancé, Brianna at home while getting ready to go to Hartford Hospital for the third time in one week. The ambulance took him to Hartford Hospital where they told him “Nothing is wrong” and to “go home and rest”. He fell in the parking lot, so he could not go home. It was then that he was taken to UCONN Health where he was admitted after running numerous tests (MRI, CT Scan, blood work and a spinal tap). The spinal tap was what diagnosed Tyler after seeing how much Cerebral Spinal Fluid he had in him as well as the alarming amount of protein found in his body. He was at UCONN for 5 days and received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). This syndrome can be caused by a vaccine or can be contracted after a virus. This syndrome caused his own immune system to attack the nerves in his legs hands and it would have progressed to the lungs if it was not treated quickly.

From UCONN Tyler went to Mount Sinai Rehab center for intensive physical therapy and occupational therapy. He could not use his hands. He needed to learn to walk again and regain the strength in his legs. He also had to learn to use his hands again. He was in the hospital and rehab center a total of 60 days. He has been continuing his physical therapy as an outpatient since then.

Tyler is working hard and making progress. He does not walk without a walker and getting up and down the stairs is a challenge. He cannot drive or go to work. He is regaining the use of his hands slowly. He continues to get monthly IVIG infusions to help his progress. The doctors are optimistic that he will regain mobility, but it may take a year or more. He cannot drive or go to work so he is having a difficult paying his rent, car payment, groceries, and everyday expenses. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not qualify GBS as a disability unless you have an associated illness from it. Tyler has been laid off from Hartford Hospital because he used up all his FMLA, so he is unable to collect Short Term Disability.

​I love my brother; he and I have been through a lot together. It saddens me to see him struggling like this. Thank you very much for your generous help during this challenging time. Please feel free to share Tyler’s story. Your support and warm wishes are greatly appreciated.

Tori Corriveau and Family.