From Paralysis to Progress: Blake Howe’s Journey of Hope and Healing

In February 2023, Blake Howe's health took a sudden turn, landing him at the Bowmanville Hospital. Little did he know walking into the Emergency Department would be the last time he stood on his own for the next six months.

“It was scary and at one point I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” says Howe. 

At first, he underwent a series of tests after being transferred to the Oshawa Hospital.

Finally, Howe was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) - a rare disorder when a person's own immune system harms their body’s nerves.

“In a month, I went from being able to function to paralyzed from the neck down and on a ventilator.”

Blake says it was a scary time for him and his young family. But he says the compassionate and high-quality care he received from Dr. Shannon Fernando, Critical Care Specialist at the Oshawa Hospital during his darkest moments helped to fuel his recovery.

“I met Dr. Fernando, who I consider a hero of mine,” says Howe. “He’s so in touch with the emotional side of his clients and their families. He took the time to update my wife regularly, which meant the world to us."

With his wife and newborn son at home, it was these small moments he appreciated the most.

"The care team went out of their way to ensure I could spend time outdoors with my son," recounts Howe. “It was a real bright spot in a time of uncertainty and unknowns.”

Between treatments at the Oshawa Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, Howe faced numerous setbacks – that is until Toronto Western Hospital implanted a diaphragmatic pacer. This is a device that has small parts connected to the breathing muscle called the diaphragm. This special device enabled Blake to slowly wean off the ventilator, allowing him to finally breathe on his own. (Incidentally, Blake was the first patient with GBS in Canada to receive this device.)

Yet, while Blake’s condition slowly improved at the Oshawa Hospital, tragedy struck his family - he learned his dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

“Thanks to Dr. Fernando and the staff at Lakeridge Health and Toronto Western Hospital, they arranged for me to be at the Oshawa Hospital to say my goodbyes and be there for his passing. I feel at peace with that.”

After months of intense rehabilitation, Howe began to see progress. Close to six months since his ordeal began, he was able to stand supported. By November of 2023, he was walking with a cane. Finally, after a grueling nine-month hospital stay, he was discharged in time for Christmas.

"I'm truly grateful to have made it through," reflects Howe. “I owe my recovery to the support of my family and the amazing care provided by the Lakeridge Health and Toronto Western teams.”

Fast forward to March 2024, Howe celebrates small victories – never taking life for granted.

“Today I went to the gym for the first time, and I feel myself getting stronger every day,” shares Howe. “Things are definitely looking up.”