Jake's Story   — Jo Ann Timmons, GA, USA

My son Jake was born on July 19, 1995 by a C-section and had late-onset GBS TWICE, once at 3 weeks and again at 9 weeks. I tested NEGATIVE for GBS and he was delivered by c section..now all the information you read tells you if you test negative and have a c-section you have nothing to worry about..WRONG...Jake has many problems, the worst being that we now believe part of his brain does not receive enough blood. For years doctors have been telling me he was bipolar and that was why he had destructive behavior and angry behavior to the point of being hospitalized numerous times in a psychiatric ward. He is 11 years old now and I am having to look into residential treatment to help him change these behaviors. For years I have told doctors that I believed the GBS and the high fever (106 degrees) twice could have caused brain damage and have been told so many times that it wasn't possible. Finally a doctor has listened to me and agrees that I have probably been right all along. They now want to explore ways to help this situtation. At this point I am so emotionally drained that I don't know where to turn. However, I have a 9 year old daughter to protect as he has became a danger to her. If anyone else has had some of these problems, I would love to hear from you.