Imagine this scenario: One day you are moving around taking care of business, walking your dog, and running daily errands. The next day you experience nagging back pain, a splitting headache along with a host of unexplainable medical issues. Then the following day you find yourself in a hospital bed, paralyzed, and struggling to think coherently. And what if after all of this you discover the culprit of your arduous situation is an insect the size of a pea? Unfortunately, this nightmare scenario became all too real for Tom Baldwin of Atlanta, Georgia.

In August 2024, Tom contracted West Nile virus, which led to severe neuroinvasive complications, including paralysis. That summer, the mosquito-borne disease was unusually prevalent across the United States, with cases reported in 47 out of 50 states. It's important to note that the actual number of infections might be even higher, since there’s often a delay between findings from mosquito surveillance programs and reports from health agencies.

Most people afflicted with West Nile virus suffer no symptoms at all, while 20 percent may experience fever, muscle aches, and nausea; symptoms akin to the flu. For less than one percent of people infected, the situation becomes dire.  They find their bodies besieged by neurological illnesses like meningitis and encephalitis, which cause swelling in and around the brain and spinal cord, and can lead to temporary or sometimes permanent paralysis. Tom’s experience is a powerful example. More than a year after his diagnosis, he continues to fight bravely for his mobility, confronting each challenge with remarkable grace and humility.

In this video Tom recounts the period leading up to the diagnosis as doctors labored to discover the source of his symptoms. He talks about his treatment and his challenging road to recovery. It is an inspiring story of resilience that also serves as a bellwether for a little known yet growing public health threat.

SES Productions was given exclusive permission to tell Tom’s story, which required filming personal events within personal spaces. Narrative filmmaking of this kind is not easy as it calls for the subject to be fully open and transparent. SES Productions, therefore, is grateful to Tom for his trust and collaboration in the journey to present his story to the public.