A Story of Survival. A Journey of Hope.
Twenty Years & Six Months: A Story of Hope
From a sudden, life-threatening diagnosis to a journey of recovery, faith, family, and purpose.
Erika L. Orriss shares the extraordinary story of surviving Guillain-Barré Syndrome—and the twenty-year journey it took to find the words to tell it.
HER STORY. HER PURPOSE. HER HOPE.
Meet Erika L. Orriss
Erika L. Orriss is an author, licensed mental health counselor, rare disease survivor, and community advocate.
After more than 25 years as a software engineer, Erika’s life changed dramatically when Guillain-Barré Syndrome left her paralyzed and unable to breathe independently. She spent nearly six months in the hospital, including four months on a ventilator.
Her experience changed more than her health. It changed her perspective and ultimately the direction of her life.
Today, Erika uses both her professional training and lived experience to encourage and support others navigating difficult seasons of life.
HER MEMOIR
Twenty Years & Six Months: A Story of Hope
From happy, hardworking wife and mother to a non-responsive quadriplegic almost overnight—and her journey back.
One ordinary day, Erika was caring for her children. Soon afterward, she found herself fighting for her life in a hospital bed.
Diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Erika was paralyzed and unable to speak or breathe on her own. She spent nearly six months in the hospital, four of them on a ventilator.
The memories were so painful that it took twenty years before she could finally put them into words.
Originally written for her children, her story became something more: a message of hope for anyone facing circumstances that seem impossible.
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May 21, 2026
A Special Note to Caregivers
Ms. Orriss has recently been asked to write a note to the caregivers. She found this relatively easy as she saw how her family worked in concert to support her while she was the one lying in the bed, paralyzed. Although humbled and honored at the loyalty they displayed to spare her life she has some thoughts that only one can see in the light of retrospect. In the light of years past, when the family is no longer in crisis.
She writes a special note for the children as they are so often left behind and in the blind when such dramatic family events occur.
