Suzan and John Jennings experienced and dealt with a sudden onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2008. Within six days, Suzan went from a tingle in her face to total paralysis from the neck down. She became an expert on the disease, its challenges, and how to work toward recovery. Loosely described, the sydrome is a condition caused by an immune system mistakenly identifying nerves as an enemy to destroy. Their self-published book is PARALYZED WITHOUT WARNING: A Couple's Journey Back from Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Married for ten years, Suzan and John Jennings moved to Parksville, on Vancouver Island, to enjoy life with their dog Lady. Suzan continues to be a liaison for the GBS Foundation of Canada as well as being involved in advocacy issues for persons with disabilities. John (Mr. ChooChooTrain) has embarked on a life-long dream to build a model train layout in the garage, enjoying life in the slow-track.

BOOKS:

PARALYZED WITHOUT WARNING: A Couple's Journey Back from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (Trafford 2012) ISBN 978-1-4669-6646-8 $24.25 Hard cover; ISBN 978-1-4669-6647-5 $14.25 Soft cover

[BCBW 2013]