In February 2019, Chris Maxwell experienced numbness and tingling in his fingers and toes, back pain and insomnia. Diagnosed with a severe form of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a rare, neurological disorder that occurs when the body attacks the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Chris spent six weeks at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before making his way to Madonna’s Lincoln Campus for extensive rehabilitation through the continuum.
Early on, the husband, father of four and small business owner couldn’t breathe, eat, talk or even blink on his own. Progress was painstakingly slow. However, Chris maintained a positive, enthusiastic attitude infused with gratitude and hope.
He left Madonna using a walker: two years later, he returned to the capital city, completing a victory lap by crossing the finish line of the 2021 Lincoln half marathon.
