Blanca Gallegos lived a full and active life before Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) changed everything. Originally from Durango, Mexico, she built a life in Las Vegas with her family, working in banquet services at the Bellagio while raising her children. “I was very active doing my work and taking care of my children,” she recalled. That changed abruptly in late December when she began experiencing muscle weakness that rapidly progressed. Within days, she was hospitalized, fully paralyzed, and required intubation. Her diagnosis—Guillain-Barré syndrome—is a rare autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, often resulting in paralysis. She remained in three hospitals over the span of eight months as doctors stabilized her condition and initiated the long road to rehabilitation.

“I always said…I’m going to recover.”

The acute phase left Gallegos with no voluntary muscle movement, requiring full-time assistance even after returning home. She could not lift her arms, eat without help, or stand without falling. While GBS is treatable, recovery relies heavily on intensive and consistent rehabilitation. Blanca was initially referred to outpatient therapy but experienced a breakthrough after learning about DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center, an adaptive gym in Las Vegas specializing in activity based training for those suffering with spinal cord injuries or other neurological conditions. “I saw that they were giving therapy to people. They were exercising. I really liked it, and I said, ‘I have to come here,’” she explained. She joined DRIVEN two years ago, arriving in a wheelchair and unable to perform basic movements independently.

Through DRIVEN’s structured programming, Blanca participated in guided therapies multiple times a week, including mobility training, assisted gait work, and resistance exercises tailored to her capacity. Her progress was incremental but measurable: from regaining the ability to lift her hands, to standing with support, and eventually walking short distances with a walker. “I now do squats, walk, and even climb stairs,” she shared. A $5,000 scholarship provided by the center enabled her to increase the frequency of her therapy sessions. Blanca credits DRIVEN’s professional staff and equipment-based training for transforming her independence, noting that “they help you with everything you need.”

Today, Blanca is back to driving, cooking for her family, and managing her personal care—milestones she once feared she would never reach. Her goals now include walking unassisted in public spaces and building the endurance to maintain mobility over longer distances. She encourages others living with similar conditions to commit to the process: “The doctor told me, ‘You have to do a lot of therapy to be able to achieve walking again.’ I never missed an appointment.” Blanca’s recovery highlights not only the effectiveness of targeted neurorehabilitation for GBS, but the importance of accessible, community-based centers like DRIVEN in restoring function and dignity after catastrophic neurological illness.