GREENVILLE, Wis — GREENVILLE, Wis (NBC 26) -- A North Appleton high school graduate and a member of the United States Army, was recently diagnosed with a rare neurological disease that causes constant seizures and memory problems. On Monday NBC26 spoke with Alyssa Gruender and her parents about how their family is coping with the rare diagnosis.
It was Halloween of 2019 when 21-year-old Alyssa Gruender all of a sudden started slurring her words. Her parents say she was having such a hard time speaking and that's when Alyssa and her fiancée rushed to the hospital to see what was happening.
Inevitability it would take months for a diagnosis, but in that time Alyssa started having seizures every 3 to 5 minutes. What doctors eventually discovered was that Alyssa had a rare case of Rasmussen's Encephalitis, a neurological disease that attacks healthy brain tissue that today doesn't have a known cure. Alyssa's parents say their daughter has recently started an experimental treatment though, that could prevent further damage. Her father Brian Gruender says today’s plan, is to focus on procedures and therapy that could prevent further damage.
"How can we help Alyssa, where she has that confidence back again, where the seizures are under control to the point where she can be self sufficient?”
Alyssa’s mother says while they can only take this diagnosis day by day, her family remains optimistic that they can continue enjoying the time they have with one another.
"We don't know what the future will bring. We don't know if this medication is going to be the miracle for her. But we're just thankful for each day as a family."
In the time since the diagnosis, Alyssa's parents have spent months at the hospital with her and have relied on friends and family to help take care of their day to day activities with their other three children.
Coming up this Saturday, there will be a fundraiser at North Greenville Elementary for Alyssa and her family. At the fundraiser there will be games, raffles and a silent auction. The "Fight like a Soldier-Alyssa's Army Fundraiser," will kick off at 1pm and last until 5pm.
