Narrated by Okello Synthier (father)
It all began on a seemingly normal morning when my son, Genesis, suddenly became paralyzed. The sight of him unable to walk, stand, or even eat was nothing short of terrifying. As a father, I felt completely helpless. Without hesitation, my family rushed him to St. Mary’s hospital, Lacor.
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Upon arrival, the doctors conducted several tests, including a CBC scan and a malaria test. Fortunately, everything came back to normal. The doctors administered some medication and sent us home, hopeful that Genesis would improve by evening. But instead of getting better, his condition worsened. He was unable to move at all, and it was clear that we could not leave him in this state. So, we rushed him back to the hospital.
On January 27th, Genesis was admitted for further treatment. Over the following days, his condition continued to deteriorate. He seemed to want to speak, but no words came out. He couldn’t eat, and his breathing became increasingly difficult. The doctors worked tirelessly, but it felt like there was nothing we could do to ease his suffering. All we could do was pray and trust that the doctors would do everything they could to help our son.
After a few days, Genesis was transferred to the ICU. My family’s concerns grew during this time, and we were on the verge of losing hope. The thought of losing my son was unbearable. At one point, the doctors even suggested transferring him to Mulago Hospital for more intensive care. However, the financial burden of such a move was too great. We didn’t have the resources to cover the expenses, so we chose to remain at St. Mary’s and continue putting our faith in God.
Dr Maria and Genesis
Dr. Maria, a paediatric resident from Italy, played a pivotal role in Genesis’s recovery. She recalled, “When I first saw Genesis, he was in a state of flaccid paralysis. He couldn’t move his limbs, and his strength was at zero in his lower limbs. It was an acute onset, and we could see that the paralysis was progressing from his feet to his legs and then to his upper limbs.”
Dr. Maria continued, “There were a lot of different diagnoses that came to mind. Initially, we thought of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) because of the ascending nature of the paralysis, but the reflexes were present, which didn’t quite fit. We also had to consider the possibility of autoimmune meningoencephalitis, myelitis, or viral-related myelitis. With the lack of a definitive diagnosis and no access to MRI, we decided to start treatment with steroids, which could help with both GBS and other potential autoimmune conditions.”
Despite not having a confirmed diagnosis, the doctors took immediate action, starting him on steroids and offering supportive care like feeding tubes, catheters, oxygen therapy, and pain control. As Genesis’s condition worsened, he developed difficulty breathing and arrhythmias and could no longer speak. His words were so weak at times that we couldn’t hear them. He struggled to swallow food and drooled frequently. It became clear that his situation was critical.
Eventually, the doctors made the difficult decision to transfer him back to the children’s ward. Slowly but surely, Genesis began to improve. He started showing small signs of recovery, like attempting to eat. At first, he could only consume liquids through a feeding tube due to his weakness, but over time, he regained the ability to eat by mouth again. His energy levels slowly started to increase, and I could finally see some hope on the horizon.
While he was recovering, Genesis continued to face challenges. His legs were still weak, and he couldn’t move them at first. He also had difficulty passing stool, which complicated his recovery. But the doctors and staff at St. Mary’s continued to support him, and eventually, he began passing stool normally.
After weeks of treatment and intensive care, Genesis was finally discharged from the hosp
Genesis with the Physiotherapy team
ital. He is now continuing his recovery with physiotherapy, and though his journey is far from over, his progress is undeniable. He can now speak, smile, and even walk a little, though his legs are still weak, and he sometimes falls. It’s a relief to see him improving, and as a father, I feel a deep sense of gratitude.
Dr. Maria reflected on Genesis’ recovery, saying, “His progress was slow but steady. We knew he wasn’t fully out of danger, but the fact that he could start eating and moving again was a huge step forward. It was a privilege to witness his recovery.”
For me, as a father, I’ll never forget the long and painful days of uncertainty, the fear, and the worry. But now, when I see my son smiling and walking again, I am filled with an immense sense of thankfulness. I am deeply grateful to all the staff at St. Mary’s hospital for their dedication and hard work. They gave us hope when we were on the brink of losing it. Genesis is not fully recovered yet, but seeing him alive and improving is more than I could have ever hoped for. I will forever cherish the doctors and nurses who cared for my son during his darkest days.
