Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. The disorder attacks the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves, causing the nerves to short-circuit, similar to what happens if the insulation coating is removed from an electrical cord.

Imagine if your brain works fine, but your body just quits responding. And imagine if that just happens for no apparent reason and you go from perfectly healthy to paralyzed in a week (or less). Well, that is what happened to me!

The two pictures above were taken about two months apart. The first was taken at Whitesands Seventh-Day Adventist Camp after I had just completed a 5km walk. The second was taken just shortly after being admitted to the ICU in the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was intubated and fighting for my life.

My onset began at the beginning of August 2019. I felt some strange sensations in my feet and legs on August 6th, and went to the emergency room on August 7th and was sent home. On August 9th, I went back to the emergency room as I struggled with standing and walking. I barely walked into the emergency room before getting into a wheelchair. It would be almost seven months before I would walk again!

I was released from the hospital on March 6th, 2020, just in time to be locked down for COVID-19! When I left the hospital, I used a wheelchair. Soon after, I graduated to a 4-wheeled walker and then a cane. Today I walk most of the time without any aides, except when I am extremely tired or in the winter in ice and snow.

I have spoken in churches in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and was featured on It Is Written Canada. I speak and tell my story as much as possible, and now I am stepping well out of my comfort zone.

My goal for 2026 is to complete the 5km of the Manitoba Marathon and the 5km walk at Whitesands Seventh-day Adventist Camp to continue what I started in 2019! These walks are for my personal growth and health but I am also raising funds to support three wonderful organizations:

United Way Winnipeg (Manitoba Marathon)
Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA)
GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada

If you would like to support me and the organizations that I am walking for you can do so below: (Any monies sent directly to me at the addresses below will be split evenly between the organizations above. Please note: Any monies sent to me will NOT receive a tax receipt. If you need a tax receipt, then please donate directly to the above organizations.)

E-transfers accepted at paulcroft@gmail.com *
Paypal: Paypal Me *

*Please note any donations through PayPal or E-transfer will NOT receive a tax receipt. If you require a receipt for Income Tax Purposes, please donate directly to the listed organizations

Since October 1st 2025, I have been walking on my treadmill. This is not easy and people may laugh at my progress, but for me it is a major accomplishment. I walk six day a week and take the Sabbath off. I have chosen to walk at my pace and will update this post as I continue to walk further. To date this is my distance.

Paul’s Treadmill Progress

Embrace the Journey! We never know what God has planned for us. I never thought that this could happen to me, but in some ways, it has been a blessing in disguise. I have been able to meet thousands of people and share with them the grace of God who used His healing hands on me.

If you would like to support the research and support services for GBS/CIDP Research, then please visit:
https://www.gbscidp.ca