Jason Wisdom Celebrates "Home Run for Life" Saturday with the OKC Dodgers
May 28, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Baseball Club News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health proudly continue the 2015 "Home Run for Life" series Saturday, May 30 during the Dodgers' game against the Fresno Grizzlies at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Dodgers and INTEGRIS will recognize Jason Wisdom, who has made a remarkable recovery from a case of West Nile Virus that was so severe he was left completely paralyzed at one point.
"Home Run For Life" recognizes people in the Oklahoma City area who, with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals, have overcome a significant medical event. Honorees are recognized during a Dodgers' game and take a home run "lap" around the bases, symbolizing the end of their battle against adversity.
"We are so pleased to continue the 'Home Run For Life' series with our partner INTEGRIS Health," OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. "Throughout the season, 'Home Run For Life' allows us to feature several extraordinary individuals from the local community who summoned a great deal of tenacity and courage to get where they are today."
Wisdom, 38, transformed from a healthy, physically active man into a seriously ill patient lying paralyzed and unable to speak in a hospital bed within a span of 10 days. Doctors learned Wisdom had contracted West Nile Virus - the worst case many of them had ever seen - and his condition deteriorated so quickly they were left puzzled by the severity of his illness.
Prior to falling ill, Wisdom was a frequent mountain biker who spent a significant amount of time outdoors. Despite his conscientious efforts to always wear bug spray, a mosquito bite sent the Norman resident's health spiraling.
West Nile Virus is spread by infected mosquitos, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of people (70-80 percent) who become infected with West Nile Virus do not develop any symptoms. Less than one percent of infected people develop the severity of symptoms Wisdom experienced.
Wisdom started feeling lethargic on a Saturday and ended up in the emergency room by the following Thursday in October 2013. Days later, he was 90 percent paralyzed from his head to his toes. His diaphragm and lungs were shutting down and he had trouble breathing.
Wisdom spent six weeks in an intensive care unit in the fall of 2013. A few weeks in a long-term care facility followed before he moved into Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center for three months.
Doctors could only treat his symptoms because there is no cure for West Nile Virus, and the results were excruciating for Wisdom. At times he felt like he on fire and eventually his weight decreased from 220 pounds to 160 pounds.
"I had become completely paralyzed, but I had 100 percent of my sensation, so I felt uncomfortable," Wisdom said. "I felt the wrinkles in the sheets. I felt everything, but I couldn't move."
Wisdom's condition was so severe that he entered therapy at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe on a breathing machine, unable to move at all.
During more than three months as an inpatient at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe, Wisdom learned how to walk again and regained the use of his arms.
INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe staff members said Wisdom was an inspiration and became one of their top success stories because of his amazing transformation.
In the spring of 2014, Wisdom was finally able to return home to his wife and four-year-old daughter Laura.
He continued outpatient rehabilitation and improved so dramatically that he was able to walk in the 10th annual INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Courage Run in October 2014 - almost exactly one year after he first went to the emergency room. The event is an opportunity to applaud the courage patients demonstrate daily when facing the challenges of rehabilitation.
To read Wisdom's full story, visit okcdodgers.com.
Come see Jason Wisdom complete his "Home Run For Life," following the third inning of the OKC Dodgers' game Saturday, May 30 against the Fresno Grizzlies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Interview requests for Wisdom, INTEGRIS or Dodgers personnel can be made through the Dodgers media department. Tickets for Saturday's game are available through the Dodgers ticket office at (405) 218-1000 or by visiting okcdodgers.com.
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