WHITESTOWN, Ind. -- Imagine going to bed feeling fine – able to walk, run and do everything yourself – and then waking up paralyzed from the neck down.
That's what happened to Whitestown Police Sgt. Dan Boutwell.
After six weeks in a hospital, Boutwell spoke to RTV6 about his recovery, and his rare diagnosis with Guillian-Barre Syndrome.
The condition affects just 1-in-100,000 people. It causes the immune system to attack the body's nerves, leading to a host of problems.
Boutwell said he's doing what he can to deal with the diagnosis.
"My friends come see me all the time, the nurses here keep pushing me," Boutwell said. "It's tough. It hurts. It's the most painful thing I've ever been through. Pain all the time."
Boutwell has regained feeling in his hands. He will start working to regain the use of his legs in therapy this week. He's optimistic he will be back on the force serving Whitestown by the end of the year.
