By Kimberly Gasuras

On the night of Dec. 29, 2016, Lou Ann Cooper was not feeling well. By 2 a.m., she was completely paralyzed and on a ventilator.

A few hours later, Cooper was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rapid-onset weakness of the muscles that is caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system.

The disease causes changes in sensation, and many times, pain along with muscle weakness. It usually begins in the hands and feet and can spread to the arms and upper body with both sides being involved. They symptoms develop over a few hours to a few weeks. The disorder can become life-threatening with approximately 15 percent of people affected with the disease developing weakness of the breathing muscles, requiring mechanical ventilation. The recovery time varies and may take up to three years.

Cooper began treatment right away and remained in the intensive care unit at the Ohio State University Medical Center for three weeks. During this time, she communicated by blinking. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Galion and has made great progress.

“She gets hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy daily. She no longer has any respiratory complications and she can talk to us,” said her friend, Alice Teynor. “Also, most facial expressions are back and she can move her hands, arms and shoulders. She has regained some core strength and some balance.”

The American Legion Colonel Crawford Post 181 Auxiliary will be hosting its annual Make and Bake Benefit Auction at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with the proceeds being designated for Cooper.

The Legion also will be hosting its Annual Chili Cook-off on Saturday and it is open to the public.

“All people entering chili for judging will need to be there by 4:30 p.m. Judging and enjoying the chilies will start at 5:30 p.m.,” Teynor said.

All proceeds from the Chili Cook-off will go to the Legion’s Gifts for Yanks program and the annual “Pie” portion of the evening will go to benefit Loren’s Cancer Care Fund.

“Please consider joining us at the Auxiliary Make and Bake Auction this year to help raise funds for Lou Ann and Loren’s Cancer Care Fund,” Teynor said.

For those unable to attend, donations may be sent to American Legion Auxiliary Post 181, 123 E. Rennselaer St., Bucyrus OH 44820 and earmarked Make and Bake.