Local family in need of prayer, cards as daughter faces autoimmune disease far from home
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The holidays are a time families are brought near, a time of reflection and thankfulness, often for our good fortune or health during the year.
As we gather near, there is a local family in great need of extra prayers this year and, if possible, a card of support.
Recently, 19-year-old Lelia Hershman traveled to Fort Drum, New York, to visit her fiancé who recently returned from deployment to Iraq. The couple then planned to travel together to Texas to meet his famly.
Unfortunately, what should have been a joyful reunion rapidly turned tragic when Hershman fell seriously ill. For several days prior, she seemed to have what appeared to be a cold, but in a short period of time she was hospitalized – her body paralyzed and unresponsive. On a breathing machine, each day has been a continual fight for her life.
Hershman has been diagnosed with Guillain- Barré Syndrome.
According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s website, “Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases, the disorder is life-threatening…”
It is currently unknown to researchers why this happens, but typically it is an autoimmune response to a virus infection or a respiratory infection, surgery or vaccination. It is not known what causes the disease, but essentially the body begins attacking itself, according to the website.
There is no treatment or cure for the disease, which can take from months to years to recover from. It is also potentially fatal.
Due to a degenerative disc disease, her father, Louis, has been unable to be at his daughter’s bedside. Younger siblings Linda, Laura and Jason are staying at home with their father. Her mother, Beth, president of the local Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary Group is now staying at a facility for patients’ family members nearby, but has had to take an unpaid leave of absence from her job – the family of six’s only source of income.
Volunteers with the local Salvation Army and Kiwanis Club who know the family and their situation well have set up an account for anyone interested in making a financial contribution.
Equally important, prayer and cards from the community are also appreciated.
“We hope the community will get behind a writing and prayer campaign as she is not having positive response to treatments,” said Kiwanis Club member and Salvation Army volunteer Linda Scott. Scott said Hershman is unable to move, respond or sense. Her lungs are being suctioned constantly and she is unable to breath without help at this time.
“Both parents want to use this article as a way to educate people about the disease because it starts with just a simple cold,” said Kiwanis Club member and Salvation Army volunteer Tammy Azar.
Cards of encouragement may be sent to: Lelia Hershman, University Hospital, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
Donations may be given in the family’s name to: Whitley Count Kiwanis Club, c/o Linda Scott, 6127 AS Derby Drive, Columbia City, IN 46725
For more information on Guillain-Barre Syndrome, click here.