Guillain-Barre Survivor: Helping Steven Rebuild

Steven Medina is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Araceli Medina.

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Hello, my name is Steven. I am recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. GBS occurs when the immune system attacks and damages the nervous system. The morning of December 11, 2018, I woke up normal as can be. As the day progressed my body increasingly became weaker. I slowly lost complete control of my body by the nighttime; my entire life changed in one day.

On December 12, 2018, I was admitted to the ER of New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. After my time in the ICU , I was forced to leave my home and career in New York City to move back home with my family in Los Angeles. Financially, all my remaining savings were drained transitioning my life through the early weeks of this sudden change. And currently have no great sources of income.

My Current Recovery:

GBS & damage to my nervous system resulted in:

-loss of body control (balance, coordination, mobility, reflexes).

-damage to my sensory neurons.

-poor dexterity in my hands (difficulty buttoning a shirt, zipping zippers, tying shoelaces, using scissors, turning door knobs, hand writing, using a keyboard, etc).

-poor proprioception (my body cannot sense itself in space).

-loss of muscle & muscular strength.

-numbness & tingling throughout my body.

-seizure-like fits.

I lost much of my independence.

My parents are my caregivers. They help cook for me, dress, feed, and clean me, and drive me to all appointments and therapies.

So my rehab focuses on reteaching my body and mind the most basic human functions (sitting, standing, walking, showering, dressing, tying my shoes, etc), to regain my independence.

My diagnosis of GBS requires specific therapies and resources not covered by my insurance.

Funds would be used for:

1. Uncovered Medical Bills (roughly $40,000)

my California State health insurance does not cover any bills from my ICU stay in New York (aside from emergency room costs). This outstanding balance is extremely great due to the vast amount of exams, medication, and providers required for my long treatment there.

2. Uninsured Rehabilitation Needs & Treatments

coverage of other needs (not covered by insurance) to help maximize my recovery efforts:

-Acupuncturist & Chiropractor

-Exercise & Weight/Resistance Training Equipment

-Assessable Living Equipment

-Occupational & Physical Therapy Exercise Tools

-Medications

-Neuromuscular, Sports Massage, TENS Therapy

-Resistance Training Sessions with Trainer, Fitness Coaching, & Gym Membership

3. Transition into Independent Living

-Assistance in supporting my transition to begin living independently in an ADA living space.

Why I Need Some Help:

My full recovery could be estimated to take several years. Due to the nature of GBS, I will not be able to live or work normally for sometime. A freelance set and projection designer for theatre, I had just graduated from Pace School of Performing Arts in Manhattan with a BFA. My craft focused heavily on the full functionality of my hands: carpentry, computer and hand drafting, model building, scenic painting, prop building, content creation. Today, everything career related is on hold until my hands recover.

A majority of my progress is a result of consistent, independent work at home on my own.

Today, I am:

-using a walker, elbow-crutches, & elbow-crutches.

-rebuilding muscular strength & mind-muscle connections.

-regaining mobility, & reflexes.

-regaining independence.

-grateful for how much I have overcome.

A Chance to Breath & A Restart:

It is a challenge to overcome a sense of hopelessness during this recovery process.

GBS did not only change my life, but my entire family’s. My mother has given up work hours to serve as my primary caregiver, and my father has had to take on extra work hours to help us remain stable. Any support would serve to provide us all with some relief; they are admirably trying their best to raise me again.

Everyday I work hard to be better. It has taken a lot of mental and physical power to recover as much as I have, but unfortunately it is still not enough for me to actively resolve these financial burdens.

So I keep fighting, I keep smiling to utilize this second chance to rebuild a better me. Your donation and support will allow me to completely focus on a stronger recovery.

I am appreciative of all the love, in all its form, which I’ve received since December 12, 2018. I am where I am today because of it.

Thank for your love, time & attention.

All The Best.