Decatur’s Danny Wuerffel Has Rare Autoimmune Disorder
Decatur Metro | June 17, 2011
A reader points out this article on ABC’s Good Morning America website…
Former quarterback Danny Wuerffel has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes paralysis. Wuerffel, who lives in Decatur, Ga., noticed he was losing sensation in his legs and strength in his arms shortly after he battled a stomach virus June 4. It’s thought that his immune system started to attack the nerves that control movement and sensation, mistaking them for the virus.
Wuerffel’s strength is currently half of what it was, according to his wife, Jessica.
I can’t say that I’ve ever heard of Guillain-Barre syndrome, but the description in the article makes it sounds quite frightening.
All the best to Mr. Wuerffel and his family during his recovery.
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That’s awful. I clicked through to the link at his foundation’s website which says it is expected he will make a full recovery. Still, what an awful disease.
I had no idea he lived in Decatur.
I had no idea he lived here either. I wonder why he does.
His organization – Desire Street Ministries – looks to be based in Decatur. Though a lot of their work still seems to be in New Orleans. Best of luck to Danny with this illness.
I think he lives in Winona Park. He used to have a charity organization in New orleans, but it was destroyed by Katrina. He moved here afterwards.
Guillian-Barre is an autoimmune disease that strikes people usually after they have had a viral disease like influenza, and sometimes even after receiving the flu vaccine. Luckily, for most people, it goes away on its own after several months. Some people, however, suffer mild to moderate paralysis that can be permanent.
The Shepard Center , next to Piedmont Hosp, is a world class treatment center for spinal and neurolgoic disease such as Guillan Barre
DM, do you you how to get in touch with Danny? I run the middle school summer camps for City of Decatur and it would be great if he would come speak (if able) to our kids over at Beacon Hill.
Have known two people with it. Both made full recoveries and both went from paralysis to full on leg braces to final recovery but it took a long time. Almost two years for one of them. Good luck Mr. Wuerffel, I’m sure you’ll kick it.
I have a friend who went through this frightening experience a few years back, and he was fortunate to receive good help at both Grady (as he was without insurance) and then the Shepherd Center.
Get well soon, Mr. Wuerffel and Go Gators ..
my neighbor is currently recovering from this … it mimics symptoms of polio, so it is quite scary. but he is on the road to recovery… he was diagnosed in april, and was wheelchair bound for a while, but through therapy has been able to walk with a walker and now is using a cane.
Danny is a great speaker. i’ve heard him twice – once at Decatur Rotary and once at a men’s breakfast at Decatur Presbyterian. He is very entertaining and very inspirational.