BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A former CSU Bakersfield and Sacramento State basketball player is facing a long recovery after a rare autoimmune disorder left her paralyzed from the neck down, her family says.
Former CSUB athlete and Kern County Probation Officer, Jordan Olivares was diagnosed with{ }Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). PHOTO CREDIT: DIANE OLIVARES
Jordan Olivares, who most recently worked as a Kern County probation officer, was diagnosed with a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own nerves.
Her mother, Diane Olivares, said Jordan has been fighting the disease since November.
Diane Olivares said her daughter’s life had been on track, including starting a new job and buying a home, before the illness changed everything.
She said Jordan became sick and, a few weeks later, was out on a run when she began to feel numb.
“She’s on her run, and the next thing after that, she’s had paralysis from her neck down,” Diane Olivares said.
After Jordan was rushed to urgent care, Diane Olivares said the family struggled to get answers about what was happening.
Former CSUB athlete and Kern County Probation Officer, Jordan Olivares was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). PHOTO CREDIT: DIANE OLIVARES
“The doctor stated that she just didn’t know what was wrong,” she said.
Diane Olivares said she began researching symptoms online and raised the possibility of Guillain-Barré syndrome with medical staff.
Since the diagnosis, Diane Olivares said Jordan has made small steps forward.
“She had some movement. She had little movement in her fingers,” she said.
Still, she described the past few months as an emotional strain on the family.
“It’s just really overwhelming, because as a parent, you’re supposed to be there for your child, and you’re supposed to be able to get them across a finish line on whatever they need,” she said. “We’ve done everything we can, and it’s just, you know, her whole life is on pause.”
Former CSUB athlete and Kern County Probation Officer, Jordan Olivares was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). PHOTO CREDIT: DIANE OLIVARES
Diane Olivares also said the family has faced repeated challenges with insurance approvals as they try to secure treatments needed for Jordan’s recovery.
“The insurance company has, like, this, you know, transfer line we get transferred to, and then we’re saying, okay, what’s going on? You know, can we talk to the insurance? Can we talk to somebody over there? And they’ll say, no,” she said.
To help with medical expenses and daily costs while Jordan continues rehabilitation, the family has set up a GoFundMe.
Diane Olivares said recovery could take a year or more, depending on how Jordan responds to treatment, and she hopes her daughter’s story brings awareness to the rare condition.