Guillain–Barré Syndrome - Notable Cases

Notable Cases

• Ryūtarō Arimura, vocalist for Japanese rock band Plastic Tree. It was detected and treated early, and Arimura was able to return to touring within three months.
• Markus Babbel, former international footballer, contracted GBS in 2001, following a period suffering from the Epstein–Barr virus. He lost almost an entire year of his footballing career between the two illnesses and never again demonstrated the same level of ability.
• Tony Benn, British politician.
• Rachel Chagall, actress, contracted GBS in 1982. In 1987 she portrayed Gabriela Brimmer, a notable disabilities activist.
• Rowdy Gaines, a former American swimmer and Olympic three-time gold medalist, was temporarily paralyzed with GBS.
• Samuel Goldstein, American athlete and Paralympian.
• Andy Griffith, an American actor best known for The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock, developed GBS in 1983.
• Joseph Heller, author, contracted GBS in 1981. This episode in his life is recounted in the autobiographical No Laughing Matter.
• Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. Diagnosed and under treatment for GBS in April 2010.
• Hugh McElhenny, former professional American football player with the San Francisco 49ers.
• Scott McKenzie (born Philip Wallach Blondheim), an American singer and songwriter most notable for his hit single and hippie anthem "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)", died August 18, 2012, at the age of 73 from GBS.
• Jim Moss, Canadian professional lacrosse player.
• Lucky Oceans, Grammy Award-winning musician with Asleep at the Wheel, was diagnosed with GBS in 2008.
• Len Pasquarelli, sports writer and analyst for ESPN and resident of the Pro Football Writers of America, was diagnosed in 2008.
• Serge Payer, Canadian-born professional hockey player. After battling and overcoming the syndrome, he set up the Serge Payer Foundation, which is dedicated to raising money for research into new treatments and cures for GBS.
• William “The Refrigerator” Perry, former professional American football player with the Chicago Bears, was diagnosed with GBS in 2008.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. President. In 2003, a peer-reviewed study found that Roosevelt's paralysis — long attributed to poliomyelitis — was more likely caused by GBS.
• Georgena Sil, Canadian physicist and writer. After recovery, Sil established Tuum Est, a non-profit site devoted to legal rights of the physically disabled.
• Norton Simon, American industrialist and philanthropist.
• Hans Vonk, Dutch conductor.
• Danny Wuerffel, 1996 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Florida.