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SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paralyzed by a rare illness while serving abroad, has strummed his way back to health — his occupational therapist singing at his side.
Elder Joe Cottrell felt a strange tingling in his hands and feet while he was serving his mission in Leeds, England last fall. Over the next few days, it grew worse and landed him in the hospital. By the time doctors determined what was wrong, he was almost completely paralyzed.
“It started off as a little sickness, kind of a cough, and I got a little numb and tingly,” Cottrell said. “I didn’t know what to think about it.”
Cottrell learned he had Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. Doctors don't know what causes it, but it’s often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu.
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Not even a month into his missionary service in Leeds, England, 19-year-old Joey Cottrell found himself weak, tired and unable to climb stairs.Cottrell had to return home to Salt Lake City, his family devastated. He was gravely ill and had lost 30 pounds. They couldn’t believe their eyes when they greeted him at the airport.
“When I saw him, he looked so different I didn’t even recognize him,” said Kim Cottrell, Joe’s mother. “I tried not to cry. It was a hard time for us.”
Cottrell had been an avid water skier before his mission and could do flips and other acrobatics. Arriving at the rehab unit at Intermountain Medical Center, he was completely helpless.
“It was rough at the beginning,” said IMC occupational therapist Josh Parry. “When he got to us, he couldn’t move his legs, he couldn’t move his feet, couldn’t put his shirt on, couldn’t feed himself.”
The recovery was slow at first, but Parry found a passion that ignited a spark in Cottrell and gave him something to work toward: playing his father’s guitar, again.
“We started out simple, simple songs, simple strumming,” Parry said. “Eventually, as those nerves are regenerating and he got stronger and stronger, he could do more complex guitar movements.”
We started out simple, simple songs, simple strumming. Eventually, as those nerves are regenerating and he got stronger and stronger, he could do more complex guitar movements.
–Josh Parry, occupational therapist
Seated together in the rehab unit months later, Cottrell and Parry could have held their own in a competition such as American Idol. Parry sang while Cottrell accompanied him on the guitar. Then, Cottrell broke into an impromptu jam session. It’s that kind of harmony between patient and therapist, doctors said, that has been key to Cottrell's recovery.
“I didn’t really know he (Parry) had a voice,” Cottrell said. “One day I just picked up the guitar and he started singing. It was good.”
There is no cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can be life threatening, but several treatments ease symptoms. While most people recover from the disorder, some may experience lingering effects such as weakness, numbness and fatigue. In some severe cases, paralysis is permanent.
Cottrell counts his blessings.
“My Heavenly Father has helped me,” he said. “I’ve been inspired to get back out on my mission.”
