Autoimmune Warrior

American Teacher in Thailand Paralyzed by Rare Autoimmune Disease

Caroline Bradner, a 22-year old recent graduate from the University of Mississippi, was left paralyzed after developing a rare autoimmune disease while teaching English at a Thai school.

She was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) shortly before Christmas. Since then, she has been paralyzed from the neck downwards and is unable to move.

Her family reports that she has a long road to recovery ahead, and has even started a GoFundMe page to help with medical costs, including disability-related transportation, hospitalization, and rehabilitation fees, after Caroline’s insurance claims were denied. The fund has since surpassed its $70,000 goal.

Guillain-Barré syndrome affects 1 in 100,000 people each year, and its affects can be devastating. Read more about Caroline’s harrowing story here.

Scripps Researchers Find Molecular Cause of Autoimmune Disorders

Scientists at Scripps Research have found a molecular cause for a rare group of autoimmune disorders. Patrick Griffin, PhD, professor and co-chair of the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research, explains that the discovery has improved scientists’ understanding of the role of the interferon protein in the development of several autoimmune conditions. The autoimmune diseases included in the study were:

Singleton-Merten Syndrome (SMS)
Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome 
Familial Chilblain Lupus
Proteasome Associated Autoinflammatory Syndromes

The scientists demonstrated through their study how mistakes in the body’s molecular proofreading system can lead to out-of-control interferon protein signaling, thereby inducing the above autoimmune disorders.

Read more on the Science & Technology Research News website.