After Months of Paralysis and a Ventilator, Mom Talks to Young Son and Tells Him 'I Love You'

Mallory Wilkerson, a single mom of a 5-year-old boy, had no idea what was happening when she suddenly lost feeling in her hands and feet. After a trip to the hospital and an autoimmune disease diagnosis, she was put on a ventilator, unable to move or speak. After months, the mom finally said, “I love you” to her son.

A Painful Diagnosis

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Mallory has Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Her case was severe, leading to full paralysis.

"I was very confused and scared as to what was going on with my body," said Mallory, who worked as a nurse. "I had never heard of Guillain-Barré before. I had so many questions, but I was not able to talk due to being intubated."

She Was On a Ventilator For Three Months

Mallory had to stay on a ventilator for three months. The doctors told Mallory’s family that she would never walk again, and it was one of the worst cases of GBS they had ever witnessed.

"I was alert the whole time, so it was very scary not being able to move, talk or breathe on my own," she said. "I always thought there were no feelings whenever someone was paralyzed — however, I was in excruciating pain."

She Got Through the Scary Parts By Praying

"Thankfully, they chose not to tell me that, so I was very hopeful I would make a full recovery," Wilkerson said. "I got through all the frightening moments through praying. I was shown a lot of love and had many praying over me and with me."

Mallory had been under care in Louisville, KY, but before she got off the ventilator, she flew to Atlanta, GA, for intensive treatment. There, she regained some movement in her upper body, and later in her legs and feet. A month later, when her lungs started to heal, she got off the ventilator and relearned how to breathe on her own, which was stressful.

Related: Doctors Remove Life Support as Family Says Farewell to Newborn, Then He Starts Breathing

The Fight to Move and Speak on Her Own

“I started therapy three days a week and then went to five days a week, from nine to four every day. I made sure to sign up for all the extra activities I could to keep making progress,” she said, determined to take care of her son again. “I was able to take my first steps (with assistance) in December.”

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Guillain-Barré syndrome can kiss my 🍑

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She’s gone through a lot of emotional and physical pain while she’s been sick. Mallory’s parents, aunt, and uncle have all helped take care of her son.

"It was challenging mentally and physically not being able to care for and do the things I once did with him," she said.

Her Son Was An Angel

"My son was an angel — he would cuddle me, feed me and push me in my wheelchair," she said. "He was always so excited to help in any way he could and ready to cheer for me with anything I accomplished. He has kept me busy and helped me progress every single day. He is definitely my at-home therapy."

Her family did a good job of explaining to him what was going on and how the machines helped his mom to breathe.

The Proud Mom Says, ‘I Love You,’ at Last

Her family captured the moment she finally got to tell her son, “I love you.”

He was in her hospital room and told her, “I love you, mommy.” Her voice was still weak, but she responded, “I love you.”

Her son lifted his hands to his face in astonishment. “Her can talk!” he said, smiling.

The video went viral on TikTok.

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The Video Touched So Many People

"As seen in the TikTok video I posted, I got to tell him I love him!" she said. "Wow, the amazing overwhelming feeling I had getting to tell him that after months of not being able to. I wasn’t expecting it to go viral — I felt like the video didn’t express the feelings I felt in that moment.”

"I am so glad that it touched so many people," she said. "It’s easy to take things for granted, and the video reminds me not to take for granted being able to tell my people I love them."

Mallory is Thankful For the Experience

Instead of being angry or bitter, Mallory says she is “thankful” for the experience, despite all of the pain.

"It has taught me so much, and I have a whole new outlook on life. It is so touching when both strangers and people I know tell me how inspiring I have been to them,” she said. “I would do it all over again if it meant even just changing one person's outlook. I am so blessed that God chose me to have this huge testimony."

Though Mallory is getting better, she still has difficulties. She can’t work, drive, or run around with her son.

Learning to live in this different state has been the most challenging thing she’s faced, but it has opened her eyes to what others experience and has allowed her to be a light to those around her.

Pray for Mallory

"In the next few months, I pray that my healing keeps improving and my nerves continue recovering," she said. "I do not have any normal feeling in my feet yet, and I still have facial paralysis. Having facial paralysis really has sucked especially when it’s time for pictures with family and friends and I am not able to smile as I once did."

"I have always heard you never know what can happen, but now I truly understand how your life can be turned upside down overnight," she said.

Mallory has shown incredible strength in her journey so far, and it’s evident that she’s going to maintain that no matter what comes her way. She lost so much, but she’s gained a rare perspective that few get to experience. As she continues her rehabilitation, please pray for her and her family.

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WATCH: After Months of Paralysis and a Ventilator, Mom Talks to Young Son and Tells Him 'I Love You'

@wilkersonm

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: TikTok/wilkersonm

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.