Latest news with #Palen
NDTV
14 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
Fitness Influencer Paralysed By Tick Bite, Now Battling To Walk Again
Maria Palen, a fitness influencer from California, is learning to walk again after a rare illness caused partial paralysis and turned her life upside down. Palen first revealed her health struggle in a September 2024 Instagram post, where she described how a sudden and mysterious illness left her bedridden. In December, she reported some signs of improvement, such as regaining minimal movement in one leg and the ability to take small steps. Her condition began with minor aches and pains that slowly worsened. By March 2024, she had lost 20 pounds and was no longer able to function normally. "It felt like my body completely gave up on me," she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by maria (@planthlete_maria) Doctors initially suspected an autoimmune disease, but later discovered that Palen had contracted Babesiosis, a rare and potentially serious illness caused by parasites transmitted through tick bites. These parasites attacked her red blood cells and severely weakened her immune system. Palen described experiencing extreme pain from everyday tasks like using her phone or turning a steering wheel. Her condition deteriorated rapidly in October 2024 after she began feeling feverish and weak. While hospitalised, she became paralysed from the waist down. Tests revealed high white blood cell levels in her spinal fluid, indicating inflammation or infection affecting her spinal cord. Though her doctors were unable to give a clear diagnosis, Palen believes her symptoms may be connected to Lyme disease. She was treated with antibiotics, which helped clear the infection, but the nerve damage had already been done. Palen now lives with her family in Texas after losing her apartment and career. A GoFundMe campaign launched in January has raised over $12,000 to support her recovery. Doctors have given her a one-in-three chance for full, partial, or no recovery. Despite the uncertainty, Palen remains hopeful. "I have to be optimistic. If not, I would mentally spiral," she said. Her goal is to fully walk again, and she continues daily rehabilitation.
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
Fitness influencer, 31, left paralyzed from tick bite: ‘My body completely gave up'
A popular fitness influencer was left paralyzed after a tick bite left her 'trapped in unbearable pain.' Maria Palen, 31, said she is learning to walk again after the rare condition left her unable to move her legs — prompting her to 'lose' a year of her life. 'The most progress that we've seen is within the last month, where my steps are getting better, and I can do side steps,' she told People, adding that she's still unable to bend her knees. 4 A popular fitness influencer was left paralyzed after a tick bite left her 'trapped in unbearable pain.' Kennedy News & Media Palen first shared her story on social media in September 2024, telling her Instagram followers that the condition 'started with small aches, tiny pains that most people might ignore.' The content creator said that her 'body completely gave up' on her in March 2024 — leaving her entirely bedridden. 'Why was my body failing me? I've always lived a healthy lifestyle, this didn't make any sense,' she said on social media at the time. 'It quickly became clear that this wasn't something I could fix with a balanced diet or exercise.' The California native told the outlet that doctors were initially convinced that she had an autoimmune disease; however, this was later proven to be incorrect. According to the social media star, tiny organisms called Babesia had entered her bloodstream via a tick bite. Her red blood cells were targeted as a result. 'It completely shattered my immune system,' she said on social media. 'It became so bad that something as simple as locking my phone or turning my car's wheel became moments of agony.' The condition affects fewer than 3,000 people per year in the US, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 4 Maria Palen, 31, said she is learning to walk again after the rare condition left her unable to move her legs. Kennedy News & Media 4 The content creator said that her 'body completely gave up' on her in March 2024. Kennedy News & Media In an Instagram video shared in December 2024, Palen told her 23.7 followers that before her body became paralyzed, her tailbone began to ache. Days later, she found it impossible to sit through meetings or even stand for long periods of time. 'Once the pain meds kicked in at the hospital, my legs started going numb,' she said. 'First the left, then the right, until it crept all the way up to my belly button.' Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters 'Turns out my spinal fluid was loaded with white blood cells. Something was definitely attacking my spinal cord and even now, doctors can't pinpoint exactly what it was,' she added. A GoFundMe page, which was set up in January to support Palen's recovery, has since raised more than $12,000. 4 According to the social media star, tiny organisms called Babesia had entered her bloodstream via a tick bite. Her red blood cells were targeted as a result. Chalabala – 'Her savings are depleted and medical bills continue to pile up,' the fundraiser page read. 'Having lost her apartment and career due to the longevity of her illness, Maria is currently living with family in Texas.' According to the page, doctors had given Palen 'a 33% chance of full recovery, 33% chance of partial recovery, or a 33% chance of no recovery at all.'
