After spending more than two months in the hospital, Lake Catholic High School senior Susan Daly is finally home.
She wasn’t a victim of COVID-19. Instead it was Guillian-Barre syndrome that struck her suddenly in late February. Susan spent a month in the neuro unit at the Cleveland Clinic before she was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. After six weeks there, she was released on May 6.
GBS is a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system – the network of nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord. Weakness and tingling in the extremities are the first symptoms which quickly spread and eventually can paralyze the entire body. Many of the affected areas are connected to the daily tasks that we all take for granted, including arms, hands and feet, speaking, chewing and swallowing. Eye muscles and vision also can be affected. Complete recovery can take anywhere from a few months to three years.
To celebrate her homecoming, the Daly family surprised Susan with a new twist on the car parades that have become popular in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Family, friends, students, teachers and staff gathered at safe differences in the parking lot of Mentor Mall just before 4 p.m. on May 6 awaiting Susan’s arrival.
When the car she was riding in pulled into the parking lot, she was greeted with clapping, cheering and signs expressing love and support for her.
“Susan Strong” was -- and remains -- her motto. She adopted it when she began what she called the “fight of her life” during the past few months.
Although she has recovered enough to be home, Susan will continue rehabilitation.
She plans to attend Ohio University in Athens this fall.