West Nile Virus Survivor

BANNING -Fifty year-old Andre McDonald’s recovery from West Nile encephalitis-meningitis hasn’t been easy. After he was stricken with the life threatening form of the virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord, his stay at nursing homes were some of the most difficult times.

“I would cry every day, I would cry everyday. They still didn’t know if I was gonna make it or not.”

In July of 2005 McDonald began feeling extremely ill after he believes he was bitten by a mosquito while cleaning his yard. He ended up at Riverside County Regional Medical Center where he quickly deteriorated. After falling into a coma, McDonald’s major organs began failing. Nonetheless, after 2 weeks in a comatose state, he regained consciousness.

“Next time I was really conscious of what was really going on I was in ICU. Couldn’t move, couldn’t talk, couldn’t talk for maybe two months.”

McDonald’s 13 year old daughter Unique had a hard time accepting her father’s condition.

“I was crying and stuff because he couldn’t talk and he didn’t know who Iwas.”

More than 4 years later McDonald is well aware of his daughter and his 8 other kids as well as his wife Lupe. Turns out a little tough love from his children helps him get out of bed everyday.

“Not in a mean way, he needs to walk more and use his crutches and stuff. ” Said Unique McDonald. Andre added. “They call me lazy. I tell them I am gonna get em, ah, you can’t get me, you can’t catch us, you’re weak and that’s what makes me want to get stronger is them.”

A former construction worker, once McDonald feels well enough he plans to begin a career as a para-legal. In the meantime, he knows he has bucked the odds. The weekend he was admitted to Riverside County Regional 5 other patients were suffering from West Nile virus. McDonald is the only one who survived.

“I think it was a miracle from god. My kids, kept me around for my kids, my wife and my kids. That’s what I really think.”