Canadian curler, 20, paralyzed by rare condition: 'She can't move her legs, sit up, or care for herself'

A 20-year-old woman and curler from B.C. has been left paralyzed by a rare neurological condition called transverse myelitis. The story of Brook Aleksic has been shared on fundraising website GoFundMe . Aleksic’s former curling coach, Diane Dezura, an Olympic bronze medalist in the sport, organized the fundraiser. As of Monday, it was around $6,000 shy of its $100,000 goal. Aleksic was working at a golf course in Saskatchewan for the summer while living with family when she suddenly “lost all movement and sensation from the chest down,” per GoFundMe. “Her onset was rapid and severe,” according to the fundraising site. “She can’t move her legs, sit up, or care for herself. The damage to her spinal cord is extensive. While there is hope for some recovery, her path will be long, uncertain and expensive.” Aleksic, a student at the University of Victoria, had also been featured with her friends in a curling documentary released last year . Canadian filmmaker Josephine Anderson, who directed Curl Power , filmed Aleksic and her curling teammates “for much of their teenagehood, as they pursued their dream of becoming national champions,” she told National Post in an email over the weekend.  Anderson said audience members connected with Aleksic. “Brook always leans towards gratitude and optimism, even when facing difficult moments in her life,” said Anderson. “When we filmed, Brook was bravely open about struggling with body image and self confidence. We had many, many audience members tell us that Brook was especially inspirational to them.” Anderson urged anyone who could help Aleksic and her family “during this life altering time” to “please come forward” to offer support. “Becoming paralyzed in a matter of hours is surely the biggest and scariest challenge she’s had to face,” Anderson told National Post. “But somehow Brook is still finding a way to look on the bright side.” Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological condition that affects approximately 1 to 8 people per million each year in the United States, or roughly 1,400 new cases a year, according to academic medical centre Cleveland Clinic. It’s caused by inflammation of the spinal cord, which can damage myelin, the insulating material that covers your nerves, explains a webpage about the condition by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. There is no cure, but there are treatments that include high doses of steroids or plasma exchange therapy. A third of those with transverse myelitis can have a full or near-full recovery, per Johns Hopkins. Another third can have “fair recovery” while the final third could “recover poorly and have major physical disabilities.” Recovery can take up to two years. Aleksic was diagnosed in June, CTV News reported . Her mother, Shannon Joanisse, told the publication that “within two hours of waking up” one morning, she was “completely paralyzed from her neck down.” She described Aleksic as a “ray of light” and a “fighter” with a “huge circle of friends,” who was going to university to become an elementary school teacher. Joanisse, an accomplished curler herself, said she was grateful for the support she’s received. “Complete strangers have reached out supporting us, and we can’t thank them enough for that. Thank you to everyone,” she said, per CTV News. Dezura organized the GoFundMe page on behalf of Joanisse. She estimated that as of July 4, Aleksic would have had 14 plasma exchanges. Each exchange uses blood from nearly 13 donors, Dezura said, which is why it’s “really important” to get the message out there about plasma donation. Aleksic was recently transported from a hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan to one in Vancouver, according to a GoFundMe update on July 5. “This move brings her one step closer to the answers, treatment options, and the hope of recovery we’re all praying for. She arrived safely and is settling in,” the update said. “Thank you to each and every one of you for your support, prayers, and generous donations. You are making this possible for her.”

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