College student paralyzed by rare disorder in Spain is back in Arizona
Jun 18, 2018, 2:07 PM | Updated: Jun 21, 2018, 1:55 pm
(Facebook Photo/Ryan Dunn)
(Facebook Photo/Ryan Dunn)
PHOENIX — The Arizona college student who was paralyzed by a rare and dangerous immune system disorder while vacationing in Europe was safely transported to Phoenix for treatment, according to her brother.
Kara Dunn, 20, was flown from Spain to Arizona and admitted to the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center on Friday, Ryan Dunn reported on his Facebook feed.
The University of Arizona student’s story became well known after her brother started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to have her air evacuated back home.
Kara’s situation was covered by media outlets throughout Arizona and beyond, including People.
Ryan, a medical student who was with Kara when she was stricken by Guillan-Barre syndrome on June 5, said travel insurance ended up covering the costs of the medical flight.
The family found out Wednesday that insurance would pay for the flight, and Kara was medically cleared for the trip the next day, according to Ryan’s Facebook updates.
As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $99,400 of the $100,000 goal. Ryan said any funds not used for his sister’s medical bills will be donated to research of autoimmune and neurological illnesses.
Guillan-Barre can cause life-threatening paralysis and shut down breathing. The recovery period can be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years.
On Sunday, Ryan posted that Kara was able to get around using a walker.
