A tick bite left Maria Palen, 31, paralyzed, causing immense suffering.
However, she has made significant strides in her recovery, recently learning to walk again after a rare condition had immobilized her legs.
In her own words, “The most progress we’ve seen is in the last month when my steps have improved; I can even do side steps,” though she mentioned she still can’t bend her knees.
Palen first shared her struggles on social media back in September 2024, describing a small pain that many might dismiss.
By March 2024, her situation worsened as she became completely bedridden.
She lamented, “Why did my body fail me? I’ve always lived a healthy lifestyle, so it didn’t make sense.” It soon became apparent that this was not something that could be remedied by diet or exercise.
The California resident initially believed she had an autoimmune disease, but that theory was later debunked.
She revealed that a tiny organism called Babesia had invaded her bloodstream through a tick bite, attacking her red blood cells.
“It completely crushed my immune system,” she recalled. “Even simple tasks, like locking my phone or turning the wheel in a car, became incredibly painful.”
This condition affects fewer than 3,000 people annually in the U.S., as noted by health sources.
Palen shared on Instagram in December 2024 with her followers that her tailbone started hurting before she lost her ability to move.
A few days afterward, sitting through meetings or standing for any duration proved impossible.
She recounted, “When I was at the hospital, my legs began to feel numb—first the left, then the right, all the way up to my abdomen.”
After further medical evaluation, she discovered that her spinal fluid was clogged with white blood cells, indicating something was indeed attacking her spinal cord. Yet, even now, doctors remain uncertain about the exact cause.
A GoFundMe campaign established in January to aid in her recovery has raised over $12,000.
The fundraiser noted, “Her savings are dwindling while medical bills continue to stack up.” Palen, who lost both her apartment and job due to her illness, is currently staying with family in Texas.
Doctors have reportedly given her a mixed prognosis: a 33% chance of full recovery, a 33% chance of partial recovery, with no hope for the last 33%.
