LONGVIEW, Texas — Lacy Sturgeon never knew her daily routine of sitting outside after work would change her life forever.
"You don’t think of West Nile being a thing anymore, and definitely don’t think that a mosquito bite would cause you to have a paralysis," Lacy Sturgeon said.
Sturgeon was diagnosed with West Nile Meningitis in mid-September, and the virus caused swelling in the lining of her brain and her spine, damaging a nerve that left her paralyzed from her spine down to her right leg.
"It’s really hard. Both my kids have to take care of me, I’m very well just stuck in my room," Sturgeon said.
According to the CDC, as of October 1st, there have been 65 reported cases of the West Nile virus in Texas. Sturgeon says she contracted the virus at her own home, in Longview.
"When you go outside, in the evening, there’s mosquitos, take that minute to spray mosquito repellent on you and your kids, we don’t think about it, this changed my life overnight," Sturgeon said.
Sturgeon says her doctor says they don’t know when she will be able to walk again, but the nerve can be rebuilt with time.
Day-by-day what’s keeping her pushing forward is the support from her son and daughter.
"If my kids weren’t here to help me, I don’t know what I would do, and my support from back home, all the prayers, I know that’s what helping me get through everything," Sturgeon said.
She hopes this condition is not permanent.
"I just have to keep the faith, that there’s a plan, God knows what he’s doing, something good, something better will come out of all of this, and I just have to keep pushing forward," Sturgeon said.
Those looking to support Lacy Sturgeon with medical expenses can do so here.