Rare diagnosis sidelines EMT as departments unite to cover medical costs скачать в хорошем качестве

Rare diagnosis sidelines EMT as departments unite to cover medical costs

Following a rare diagnosis, local fire departments are coming together to help one of their own. Halle Schafer works full time as an EMT in Kanawha County. At the end of one of her shifts towards the end of January, she knew something was wrong. "I was taking a shower and I felt like tingling and numbness in my feet and then it progressed to my hands," Schafer said. "I went a couple days because I worked that weekend so it progressed and got worse." After several days of appointments and hospital visits, Schafer, who is also a firefighter with Pinch Volunteer Fire Department, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. "They did a couple more rounds with the IVIG treatment and it was really hard because I couldn't walk anymore," Schafer said. "When I went back in, I couldn't use my hands, couldn't feed myself, couldn't do anything. It was really hard on me mentally." Schafer underwent rehab for her symptoms and is now able to walk under her own power. Following Schafer's diagnosis, her department rallied behind her to help cover medical and recovery expenses through a t-shirt fundraiser. "It's scary," Pinch VFD auxiliary member Katie Anderson said. "I'm a registered nurse. I've worked in critical care for many years. I've seen Guillain-Barre patients not do well. One of our members approached our deputy chief Charlie Cunningham and said, 'Let's try to do a t-shirt fundraiser for Halle.'" Support for the fundraiser has come from as far away as Florida and as close to home as the Loudendale Volunteer Fire Department, with the department purchasing shirts for all of its volunteers. "In this instance, we've got a young lady who can't do her job," Loudendale VFD Chief William Eads said. "She's sick. She's got an illness that's preventing her from being active in what we do. But that doesn't mean we turn her back on her. She's still one of ours." Schafer said two of the biggest things helping her through this journey have been her faith and her community. "I'm very grateful for everybody who has prayed and came and saw me in the hospital, brought gifts, the messages," Schafer said. "I'm very grateful for everything. I never expected it to go this big." The deadline to purchase a shirt is March 1. FULL STORY: https://wchstv.com/news/local/t-shirt... _________________________________________ For the latest local and national news, visit our website: https://wchstv.com/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://wchstv.com/sign-up Follow WCHS-TV on social media: Facebook:   / eyewitnessnewscharleston   Twitter:   / wchs8fox11​   Instagram:   / wchs8fox11