20 September 2023 , 22:46
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Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens can no longer walk after being diagnosed with a rare condition.
The indie hitmaker took to his social media in a rare post to share the news. He said that he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, where the body's immune system attacks the nerves. Sufjan wrote: "Last month I woke up one morning and couldn't walk. My hands, arms and legs were numb and tingling and I had no strength, no feeling, no mobility."
He explained that his brother took him to the hospital, where he underwent extensive tests. Sufjan had MRIs, CAT scans and a spinal tap before doctors were able to give a diagnosis. "The neurologists diagnosed me with an autoimmune disorder called Guillian-Barre Syndrome," he shared. "Luckily there’s treatment for this — they administer immuno-hemoglobin infusions for five days and pray that the disease doesn’t spread to the lungs, heart and brain.
The singer-songwriter took to social media to share his health update (FilmMagic)"Very scary, but it worked. I spent about two weeks in Med/Surg, stuck in a bed, while my doctors did all the things to keep me alive and stabilize my condition. I owe them my life." According to the NHS, Guillain-Barré syndrome is a very rare and serious condition that affects the nerves, mainly the feet, hands and limbs, causing problems such as numbness, weakness and pain. It can be treated and most people will eventually make a full recovery, although it can occasionally be life-threatening and some people are left with long-term problems.
In his lengthy post, Sufjan added: "On September 8, I was transferred to acute rehab, where I am now undergoing intensive physical therapy/occupational therapy, strength building etc. to get my body back in shape and to learn to walk again. It’s a slow process, but they say I will “recover,” it just takes a lot of time, patience, and hard work. Most people who have GBS learn to walk again on their own within a year, so I am hopeful. I’m only in my second week of rehab but it is going really well and I am working really hard to get back on my feet. I’m committed to getting better, I’m in good spirits, and I’m surrounded by a really great team. I want to be well!
"I’ll keep you posted as I progress. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. And a huge shout out to all the incredible caretakers of the world working night and day to help us heal. They are living saints." The singer-songwriter rose to fame in the 2000s and made his name with an ambitious project to record an album for each of America's 50 states. Having just two coming to fruition, Sufjan branched out into exploring more personal themes.
He details his mother's death and his struggles with love and faith. The singer went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media for his soundtrack to Timothée Chalamet film Call Me By Your Name. Sufjan is set to release his ninth album next month and gave his health update after having to pull out of promoting his new record.