Mom Uses Video of Daughter to Warn About the Dangers of Tick Paralysis

After enduring every parent’s worst nightmare, Oregon resident Amanda Lewis has gone viral with a video that every parent needs to see.

Earlier this month, Lewis posted a Facebook video of her young daughter Evelyn stumbling around her bedroom, and having trouble standing. She filmed the video to document Evelyn’s symptoms, but she later shared it to warn other parents.

Along with the clip, Lewis explained the story behind the video.

“This morning she was having a hard time standing,” she wrote. “She could barely walk, or crawl, and could hardly use her arms. We took some video this morning to send to family to see if they had any idea what could be going on.”

They rushed Evelyn to the emergency room. A doctor saw her immediately.

“The doctor talked to us for a minute and said over the past 15 years he had seen about 7 or 8 children her age with identical symptoms and more than likely she had a tick,” she wrote. “I’m glad we took her in when we did and that it wasn’t something worse and that we found it before it got worse.”

Amanda Lewis ended the initial post but imploring parents to check their children and pets for ticks when they’re outside.

Lewis’ May 13 post quickly spread across Facebook. As of May 23, the post received over 67,000 reactions, 39,000 comments, and 617,000+ shares. In addition, numerous media outlets have picked up on the post as well.

Due to the overwhelming reaction, Amanda Lewis has amended her Facebook post with updates on Evelyn’s condition. In the first update, she writes that Evelyn is “doing much better” and is “back to her feisty little self.”

According to the Columbia University Lyme and Tick Borne Diseases Research Center, tick paralysis is most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain region, and Southeastern states between April and June. The center goes on to describe the common symptoms:

“Tick paralysis usually presents as ataxia followed by an ascending paralysis starting in the feet and legs. Fever is rare, and constitutional symptoms, which only sometimes precede the paralysis, are limited to malaise and listlessness. Reflexes in affected areas are reduced or absent. Sensory abnormalities, primarily numbness and tingling in the face and limbs, are frequently reported by patients.”

If you or a loved one fear that you might have tick paralysis, contact a doctor immediately.

Please share this piece to help spread awareness about the dangers and symptoms of tick paralysis.

Your Daily Dish has contacted Amanda Lewis for a comment.