A Comeback Story: From Hospital Bed to the Starting Line
Michael Ring was organizing a 100-mile bike tour in Putnam County in 2014 when he started falling, dropping things, and tripping over obstacles. His boss noticed that something was off and took him aside to discuss his concerns. At the age of 52, Ring was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the body’s nerves.
The Road to Recovery
Ring spent 135 days in the hospital and had to relearn how to walk. He eventually underwent several surgeries, including surgeries to repair his feet and ankles, and underwent a long physical therapy journey. His road to recovery was not an easy one, as he had to face a rare variant of Guillain-Barré that typically leads to a faster onset of severe muscle weakness.
From Hospital to the Starting Line
Ring took a scenic route to get back to his running days, tending to his injuries and emotional scars. He started by attending physical therapy sessions every two weeks and gradually introduced himself to the elliptical machine to work on his mobility. He eventually got back into marathoning in 2017, with his first marathon in over four years, and has since completed several races.
Conquering the 2024 NYC Marathon
On Sunday, Ring is set to participate in the TCS New York City Marathon, a 26.2-mile course he knows all too well, having first tackled it in 1980. This time around, he’ll be sporting ankle braces and running with two volunteers from Achilles International, a nonprofit that supports athletes with disabilities. "I’m going to start 40 minutes before the elite men, and everyone’s going to pass me, all 55,000 people," Ring said.
Lessons Learned
Ring’s journey has taught him valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of support systems. "When I was in the hospital, missing races, missing the things I registered for, a shrink came in to chat with me, asked me what was important," he recalled. "My twins were 14 at the time. I want to be a role model. And she’s like, ‘Well, we got to figure out a different way for you to be a role model.’"
FAQs
Q: What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A: Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the body’s nerves, temporarily paralyzing the patient.
Q: What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A: Common symptoms include muscle weakness, tingling, and numbness, as well as difficulty with balance and coordination.
Q: How common is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A: According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 3,000 to 6,000 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome are reported in the United States each year.
Q: How can someone support someone with Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A: Supports and resources include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and emotional support from family and friends.
