|
|
|
Portage Lakes, Ohio —
Kevin Weilacher will never forget May 14, 2008. That's the day the North Canton man experienced his first bout of a somewhat rare syndrome. He was paralyzed from the waist down just 90 minutes after his first pain started.
His diagnosis was transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that attacks only one to five people per million, according to national statistics. However rare, Weilacher said he knows of at least seven people in Stark County battling with TM.
Today, he has become an advocate for the disorder and for building awareness. The official TM Awareness Day is June 6.
“My wife and I were just finishing our vacation in Niagara Falls and we stopped in Erie, Pa. to see my mom on our way home,” Weilacher said.
“My pain started around 1 a.m. the first night at my mother's house. It began as a leg cramp. We called paramedics around 2 a.m. because I was starting to feel some (paralysis). By the time they arrived at the house, I was paralyzed from the waist down,” he said.
Weilacher has since had physical therapy and is now able to walk with a cane. He is still unable to work due to the pain and numbness that still remains. He has written a book, “Transverse Myelitis Our Stories” (PublishAmerica, 2011) filled with 20 life stories of people who have been stricken with the disorder and how they continue to live their lives.
Transverse Myelitis is a neurological syndrome caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. It and can occur in isolation or in the setting of another illness. Pain and numbness of the legs are common symptoms. According to www.myelitis.org, the outcome is eventual paralysis, sensory loss, and bowel and bladder dysfunction along with chronic pain. The condition can happen to any age group and can occur at any point along the spinal column.
Weilacher wants to help people with the disorder and their families to better understand the disorder and to build awareness for others about the problems associated with TM.
In 2000, the state of Ohio recognized June 6 as Transverse Myelitis Day.
“I want to help educate people about TM and to let them (know) it's a cousin to Multiple Sclerosis, and it can be as devastating as MS. And, I'm hoping to bring more awareness in the area of the designated Transverse Myelitis Day,” Weilacher said.
For more information on TM, visit www.myelitis.org or contact Weilacher via email at kdweilacher@gmail.com.
Facts about Transverse Myelitis
- TM is uncommon but not considered rare.
- It is a neurologic syndrome caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.
- It occurs in one to five people per million.
- The disorder can afflict children and adults.
- Around 45 percent of patients worsen within the first 24 hours.
- Almost all patients will develop leg weakness of varying degrees of severity and in some cases the arms are also affected.
- Bowel and bladder sphincter control can also be disturbed.
-
Most patients show good to fair recovery with some patients suffering a recurrence.
Kevin Weilacher will never forget May 14, 2008. That's the day the North Canton man experienced his first bout of a somewhat rare syndrome. He was paralyzed from the waist down just 90 minutes after his first pain started.
His diagnosis was transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that attacks only one to five people per million, according to national statistics. However rare, Weilacher said he knows of at least seven people in Stark County battling with TM.
Today, he has become an advocate for the disorder and for building awareness. The official TM Awareness Day is June 6.
“My wife and I were just finishing our vacation in Niagara Falls and we stopped in Erie, Pa. to see my mom on our way home,” Weilacher said.
“My pain started around 1 a.m. the first night at my mother's house. It began as a leg cramp. We called paramedics around 2 a.m. because I was starting to feel some (paralysis). By the time they arrived at the house, I was paralyzed from the waist down,” he said.
Weilacher has since had physical therapy and is now able to walk with a cane. He is still unable to work due to the pain and numbness that still remains. He has written a book, “Transverse Myelitis Our Stories” (PublishAmerica, 2011) filled with 20 life stories of people who have been stricken with the disorder and how they continue to live their lives.
Transverse Myelitis is a neurological syndrome caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. It and can occur in isolation or in the setting of another illness. Pain and numbness of the legs are common symptoms. According to www.myelitis.org, the outcome is eventual paralysis, sensory loss, and bowel and bladder dysfunction along with chronic pain. The condition can happen to any age group and can occur at any point along the spinal column.
Weilacher wants to help people with the disorder and their families to better understand the disorder and to build awareness for others about the problems associated with TM.
In 2000, the state of Ohio recognized June 6 as Transverse Myelitis Day.
“I want to help educate people about TM and to let them (know) it's a cousin to Multiple Sclerosis, and it can be as devastating as MS. And, I'm hoping to bring more awareness in the area of the designated Transverse Myelitis Day,” Weilacher said.
For more information on TM, visit www.myelitis.org or contact Weilacher via email at kdweilacher@gmail.com.
Facts about Transverse Myelitis
- TM is uncommon but not considered rare.
- It is a neurologic syndrome caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.
- It occurs in one to five people per million.
- The disorder can afflict children and adults.
- Around 45 percent of patients worsen within the first 24 hours.
- Almost all patients will develop leg weakness of varying degrees of severity and in some cases the arms are also affected.
- Bowel and bladder sphincter control can also be disturbed.
-
Most patients show good to fair recovery with some patients suffering a recurrence.
