Kyle's Story   — Robert & Tonya Williams, FL, USA

Kyle's story is one even a new pediatrician in our group did not believe. Kyle was born at 35 weeks, contracted GBS, was treated, and got it again. Here is his story: On July 31, 1998 my bride went into labor with our second child. Tonya was at 35 weeks, no culture had been taken, and her GBS status was unknown. In fact we were pretty clueless about GBS with only some knowledge because of a niece whose baby had it. Tonya's MD used the old rapid antigen test to determine her status and it came back negative. Kyle was born on July 31, 1998 and was in respiratory distress within minutes of birth. Within 12 hours of being born, he was in the NICU and diagnosed with early-onset GBS. Kyle was treated and sent home with an IV in his head. Seven days later he was pale, listless, and struggling to breath. He stopped breathing on his way to the ER in Tonya's arms. Kyle was diagnosed with Group B strep meningitis and spent another 10 days in the PedICU. Prior to being sent to the regular peds floor, the MDs took another spinal tap to discover a great deal of blood. A CT scan revealed global damage from the stroke, but most acutely in the occipital lobe. Most vision and higher thinking is processed in the occipital lobe. GBS took most of Kyle's vision and left him with CP, epilepsy, and mental retardation. In spite of all that has happend to Kyle, he is on the verge of walking on his own. He loves being outside and anything to do with water. Kyle is a special boy and inspires us to be better each day.