At age 35, William Raskin’s life was in order. He had a fulfilling job as chief medical oncologist at William Osler Health System. He and his wife were kept busy at home with two young children, and Raskin also enjoyed long-distance running.
Like many parents, Raskin often caught the daycare bugs his kids brought home. He was in good health, so he didn’t think much of them. But in August 2023, everything changed.
Recovering from the latest bug, Raskin suddenly got very sick, very quickly. Over the span of a week, he lost the ability to walk. His medical training had him analyzing his own symptoms. “It was scary,” he recalls. “My functioning continued to deteriorate, and we didn’t know why.”
Raskin was admitted to Sunnybrook Hospital. “I had an idea what was happening to me. I hoped I was wrong, but when my first tests were unremarkable and the worse my symptoms and deterioration became, the more certain I was.” Sunnybrook’s tests landed on the same diagnosis as Raskin: He was suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
GBS is a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks part of the nervous system. That damage can lead to muscle weakness and even paralysis. The cause of GBS is not known, and it typically strikes after a person has been sick. Most people make a full recovery from GBS, but not all. Key to successful recovery is early diagnosis.
Raskin’s condition worsened initially after being admitted, but he knew he was being well looked after. “I was desperately hoping I would not wind up on a ventilator to help me breathe because I know recovering from that is such an uphill battle,” he recalls.
Thankfully, Raskin retained the ability to breathe independently, and after five days in hospital, he was transferred to Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
“I was amazed at what the system was able to offer me to help me get back on my feet. Everyone on staff was extremely kind.”
William Raskin, Patient
As soon as he arrived, Raskin began receiving therapy seven days a week, at least three hours a day. He had to relearn everything from walking and tying his shoes, to writing and using cutlery.
“I was amazed at what the system was able to offer me to help me get back on my feet. Everyone on staff was extremely kind,” says Raskin. “Even when I was in a lot of pain and struggling to walk, they helped me not get too down on myself.”
Although his recovery was expected to take much longer, Raskin remained at Hennick Bridgepoint for only three weeks. Today, he is back at work, and enjoying time with his family. “It’s kind of ridiculous how well I’m doing. I’m 99 per cent of what I was before I got ill,” he says.
“I know I’m really lucky. I don’t know if I can attribute that to just luck, but I’m sure all the help I had at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital was instrumental.”
At age 35, William Raskin’s life was in order. He had a fulfilling job as chief medical oncologist at William Osler Health System. He and his wife were kept busy at home with two young children, and Raskin also enjoyed long-distance running.
Like many parents, Raskin often caught the daycare bugs his kids brought home. He was in good health, so he didn’t think much of them. But in August 2023, everything changed.
Recovering from the latest bug, Raskin suddenly got very sick, very quickly. Over the span of a week, he lost the ability to walk. His medical training had him analyzing his own symptoms. “It was scary,” he recalls. “My functioning continued to deteriorate, and we didn’t know why.”
Raskin was admitted to Sunnybrook Hospital. “I had an idea what was happening to me. I hoped I was wrong, but when my first tests were unremarkable and the worse my symptoms and deterioration became, the more certain I was.” Sunnybrook’s tests landed on the same diagnosis as Raskin: He was suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
GBS is a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks part of the nervous system. That damage can lead to muscle weakness and even paralysis. The cause of GBS is not known, and it typically strikes after a person has been sick. Most people make a full recovery from GBS, but not all. Key to successful recovery is early diagnosis.
Raskin’s condition worsened initially after being admitted, but he knew he was being well looked after. “I was desperately hoping I would not wind up on a ventilator to help me breathe because I know recovering from that is such an uphill battle,” he recalls.
Thankfully, Raskin retained the ability to breathe independently, and after five days in hospital, he was transferred to Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
“I was amazed at what the system was able to offer me to help me get back on my feet. Everyone on staff was extremely kind.”
William Raskin, Patient
As soon as he arrived, Raskin began receiving therapy seven days a week, at least three hours a day. He had to relearn everything from walking and tying his shoes, to writing and using cutlery.
“I was amazed at what the system was able to offer me to help me get back on my feet. Everyone on staff was extremely kind,” says Raskin. “Even when I was in a lot of pain and struggling to walk, they helped me not get too down on myself.”
Although his recovery was expected to take much longer, Raskin remained at Hennick Bridgepoint for only three weeks. Today, he is back at work, and enjoying time with his family. “It’s kind of ridiculous how well I’m doing. I’m 99 per cent of what I was before I got ill,” he says.
“I know I’m really lucky. I don’t know if I can attribute that to just luck, but I’m sure all the help I had at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital was instrumental.”
