I had no idea how debilitating his condition was. It sounds like torture: https://www.roadracingworld.com/new...on-paralyzed-olmedo-who-now-works-to-recover/
Wow, I had no idea that people recovered from that. Always thought it was a one-way road. Good for him.
My last manager was hiking in the Smokeys when Guillain-Barre hit him. The left side of his body from the waist up went numb and he though he was having a stroke. It took several months but he fully recovered. Granted, it sounds like Kevin Olmedo's case was much worse. I think once you get it, you or more susceptible to it coming back at any time and certain other diseases and medicines can trigger it.
Damn...that sucks big time. One tough mofo and all the hopes that his outlook and toughness will get him through this.
I have had to fortune to spend some time with Kevin, he's a great down to earth humble kid. I hope he has 100% recovery. He is a great ambassador for the sport.
I was completely shocked when I read that story this morning. So glad that he seems to be recovering.
I had a coworker that ended up with this after a flu vaccine of all things. And my coworker was never the same, long long time on supplemental oxygen alone.
In 1976 they stopped vaccinating people for swine flu after over 500 of them contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes temporary paralysis but can be fatal. Fifty of those people died. No one completely understands the causes of Guillain-Barre, but the condition can develop after a bout with infection or following surgery or vaccination. Not my words but edited for brevity.