Hello all,
Here are some videos of Maylu taken this past Friday, April 6th. She is improving a little bit everyday and was able to come home to White Plains for a few hours on both Saturday and Sunday for Easter! She will be home for good on April 16th, a day before her 21st birthday, and will begin intensive rehab at Burke Rehabilitation Center.
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=loveeeisforLOVERS
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Hey Guys,
Along with the information in the previous post, I just wanted to let everyone know that I was able to have a conversation with Mayra on the phone! She asked ME how I was doing, and when I asked her she said she was fine! When I told her I missed her and I loved her, she responded I miss you too and I love you too! She's starting to come back...let's keep praying for her...
Along with the information in the previous post, I just wanted to let everyone know that I was able to have a conversation with Mayra on the phone! She asked ME how I was doing, and when I asked her she said she was fine! When I told her I missed her and I loved her, she responded I miss you too and I love you too! She's starting to come back...let's keep praying for her...
Newspaper Article: March 26th, 2007
Here is the newest article that was run on the front page of The Journal News in White Plains:
White Plains woman, 20, recovers from meningitis
By MELISSA KLEIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: March 26, 2007)
NEW YORK - Mayra Rodriguez bopped her head to the 1980s pop tune "Take On Me," singing along in key and hitting the high notes.
"Wow, Mayra," said her physical therapist, Annie Matthews, who was working Mayra's iPod. "Wow, you've surprised me on that one."
A little while later, Rodriguez and Matthews tossed a ball back and forth. It was the first time since Rodriguez, a 20-year-old White Plains college student, entered the rehabilitation unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan four weeks ago that she was able to catch the ball.
"Just putting the sequence of throwing it up in the air and her mind telling her body to catch the ball, that's a pretty complex task," Matthews said last week. "For her to do that is a step in the right direction."
At the beginning of January, Mayra (pronounced Myra) Rodriguez was a college junior on a semester abroad. Now, after surviving bacterial meningitis, she is relearning the most basic of tasks from walking to carrying on a conversation to playing catch.
"Every day we see a lot more progress," said her doctor, Anne-Felicia Ambrose, a rehabilitation medicine specialist at Mount Sinai.
Rodriguez, a junior at Binghamton University, SUNY, became sick soon after the start of the study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain. She complained of a terrible headache, stiff neck and sore throat and hours later was in a hospital where her condition was diagnosed as bacterial meningitis. She lapsed into a coma, and her parents, who had flown from New York, stayed by her bed around the clock.
Rodriguez was able to return to New York by air ambulance on Feb. 20 and was taken directly to New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan. She was transferred Feb. 26 to Mount Sinai.
Ambrose said Rodriguez was still recovering from the effects of the meningitis, an infection in the meninges or membrane around the brain. She said Rodriguez still has some inflammation and fluid buildup in her brain and was on medications to prevent seizures, all of which were limiting her abilities.
Meningitis can also result in hearing and vision loss, and although Rodriguez hasn't been tested, it seems as if both senses are intact, Ambrose said.
"When she sings, she hears the music," Ambrose said. "She sings along with it in time and she hits all the right notes."
Ambrose said Rodriguez's intelligence and her supportive family would be key factors in her recovery.
"The hope is that she will make a good recovery," she said. "How complete that's going to be, it's difficult to say at this time."
Rodriguez was majoring in philosophy, politics and law at Binghamton and spoke Spanish well enough to enroll in the regular classes at University of Salamanca.
"We just want her to be Mayra again," said her mother, Irma Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has made great strides in three weeks. When she came to Mount Sinai, she could not walk and was not communicating.
Now, she climbs stairs and will repeat words and phrases, in English and in Spanish, as if a toddler learning to speak.
"Let's do the puzzle," she repeated after Matthews said the phrase in their therapy session.
Rodriguez has particularly bonded with Matthews, a college student doing an internship in physical therapy who is only a few years older.
"I was the only one who knew how to work the iPod at first," Matthews said.
Irma Rodriguez said her daughter has not really had spontaneous conversations, but did ask for her boyfriend recently. Irma Rodriguez said that when she had Mayra speak to the boyfriend on the phone, her daughter was all smiles and she was able to tell him, "I love you, too."
Irma Rodriguez and her husband, Ramiro, take turns spending the night with Mayra, not wanting to leave her alone. They also have a younger daughter, Marianna, 12.
Neither has been able to work since Rodriguez became ill. Irma Rodriguez, a part-time caterer, works at the Women's Enterprise Development Center in White Plains, and her husband works in construction.
The family's insurance will pay for just 30 days of rehabilitation for Rodriguez, and Irma Rodriguez recently applied to get her daughter Medicaid coverage.
Meanwhile, about $23,000 has been raised to help defray the family's expenses.
Penny Judelson, a White Plains resident whose daughter Amanda is a close friend of Rodriguez's, started the fund and has been asking local businesses for donations.
Judelson said students at her daughter's school, the University of Pennsylvania, and at Binghamton have raised money. A bake sale at the Rodriguez's church, St. Bernard's in White Plains, brought in about $2,400.
Strangers who have heard about Maya Rodriguez have even looked up Judelson's phone number and called, offering to donate money.
Irma Rodriguez said she was grateful for all the support, but accepting help was a strange feeling. She and her husband came to the United States from Mexico in 1981 and became citizens. She said they have never asked for assistance.
"We believe that whatever you want in life you have to work it out," she said. "That's the way we teach the girls."
Mayra Rodriguez has been giving back to the community since she was in elementary school and volunteered to read to homeless children. Later, she volunteered at White Plains Hospital Center in a program for pregnant teens. She had a summer job as a translator in a program for victims of domestic violence.
Even though she had been in Spain just three weeks before becoming ill, she volunteered to teach English at a grade school there. Sixty school children came to the hospital to visit her.
Rodriguez's artwork hangs in her hospital room and her violin sits by her bed. Her violin teacher from White Plains came to Mount Sinai to visit and give her a lesson.
"Everything now is the first time," her mother said. "It was like the first class she had when she was 5."
While Rodriguez was an accomplished violinist and sang in the choir at White Plains High School, her mother said she was never really aware of her daughter's beautiful voice until now.
"We didn't know that she sings," she said.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070326/NEWS02/703260342
Monday, March 12, 2007
New Fund Information
The address for the fund has been changed in order to make it possible for all donations to be tax refundable. Here is the new address:
El Centro Hispano, Inc.
c/o The Mayra Fund
346 South Lexington Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606.
Thanks!
El Centro Hispano, Inc.
c/o The Mayra Fund
346 South Lexington Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606.
Thanks!
BU Article from February 27th, 2007
Hey all,
Here is the Binghamton University article that ran on February 27th.
BU student contracts meningitis while studying abroad
By Erika Neddenien, News Writer
In an effort to help alleviate the medical costs incurred, a fund has been set up to help cover the health expenses of a Binghamton University student who fell ill while studying abroad this semester.
While studying in Salamanca, Spain, junior philosophy, politics and law major Mayra Rodriguez contracted bacterial meningitis on Jan. 26, three weeks after her arrival in the country. Less than 24 hours after visiting a doctor and complaining of severe headaches, Rodriguez fell into a coma for five days.
Rodriguez’s parents flew to Spain immediately to be with her. She was air-lifted back to the United States on Feb. 21 and taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She was then transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital on Feb. 26 for recovery.
“One can only be hopeful that she will make progress. She’s been making minute progress every day,” said Rodriguez family friend and Mayra Fund coordinator Penny Judelson. “She doesn’t have her hearing or her vision … whether she understands us is questionable. She’s also been able to make a few utterances.”
In addition to the fund, Rodriguez’s friends have been making efforts to raise more money and create awareness about her condition.
Judelson’s daughter Amanda, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, held a party in Rodriguez’s honor and was able to raise nearly $700. Mother and daughter have also set up an online blog detailing Rodriguez’s illness and post news articles and updates on her condition.
Rodriguez’s friends at BU have also been campaigning for the Mayra Fund.
“Mayra and her family have a very tough road ahead of them,” said junior English major and close friend of Rodriguez, Rachel Barrocas. “Any donations will be greatly appreciated to help defray all of the hospital bills. Hopefully enough donations can be raised to get her the best medical care so she can then make a full recovery.”
According to the National Institute of Health, early symptoms of bacterial meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. The disease progresses rapidly and can set-in in as few as 12 hours. In approximately 10 percent of the cases, the disease is fatal.
“The early symptoms of bacterial meningitis are very similar to those of a head cold or flu except for the severe headaches. This can make it tricky to identify early on,” Judelson said. “She’s lucky she’s pulled through. She’s a survivor.”
Friends of Rodriguez emphasize the need to stay optimistic and describe how much she is missed here on campus.
“She’s just the sweetest person I’ve ever known,” said junior psychobiology major Allison Tripp, also a friend of Rodriguez. “She loves her friends, she loves her boyfriend and she loves her family. Those were always the most important things in Mayra’s life.”
To keep updated on Mayra Rodriguez’s condition, visit http://mayrasprogress.blogspot.com/
Here is the Binghamton University article that ran on February 27th.
BU student contracts meningitis while studying abroad
By Erika Neddenien, News Writer
In an effort to help alleviate the medical costs incurred, a fund has been set up to help cover the health expenses of a Binghamton University student who fell ill while studying abroad this semester.
While studying in Salamanca, Spain, junior philosophy, politics and law major Mayra Rodriguez contracted bacterial meningitis on Jan. 26, three weeks after her arrival in the country. Less than 24 hours after visiting a doctor and complaining of severe headaches, Rodriguez fell into a coma for five days.
Rodriguez’s parents flew to Spain immediately to be with her. She was air-lifted back to the United States on Feb. 21 and taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She was then transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital on Feb. 26 for recovery.
“One can only be hopeful that she will make progress. She’s been making minute progress every day,” said Rodriguez family friend and Mayra Fund coordinator Penny Judelson. “She doesn’t have her hearing or her vision … whether she understands us is questionable. She’s also been able to make a few utterances.”
In addition to the fund, Rodriguez’s friends have been making efforts to raise more money and create awareness about her condition.
Judelson’s daughter Amanda, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, held a party in Rodriguez’s honor and was able to raise nearly $700. Mother and daughter have also set up an online blog detailing Rodriguez’s illness and post news articles and updates on her condition.
Rodriguez’s friends at BU have also been campaigning for the Mayra Fund.
“Mayra and her family have a very tough road ahead of them,” said junior English major and close friend of Rodriguez, Rachel Barrocas. “Any donations will be greatly appreciated to help defray all of the hospital bills. Hopefully enough donations can be raised to get her the best medical care so she can then make a full recovery.”
According to the National Institute of Health, early symptoms of bacterial meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. The disease progresses rapidly and can set-in in as few as 12 hours. In approximately 10 percent of the cases, the disease is fatal.
“The early symptoms of bacterial meningitis are very similar to those of a head cold or flu except for the severe headaches. This can make it tricky to identify early on,” Judelson said. “She’s lucky she’s pulled through. She’s a survivor.”
Friends of Rodriguez emphasize the need to stay optimistic and describe how much she is missed here on campus.
“She’s just the sweetest person I’ve ever known,” said junior psychobiology major Allison Tripp, also a friend of Rodriguez. “She loves her friends, she loves her boyfriend and she loves her family. Those were always the most important things in Mayra’s life.”
To keep updated on Mayra Rodriguez’s condition, visit http://mayrasprogress.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 10, 2007
March 12th, 2007
Hello,
Sorry for the long delay in updating the blog! Here is the latest news that I have heard regarding Mayra's progress. She is starting to regain her eye sight! She has been looking at people when they talk to her and even watching tv and movies. She has been talking a lot more also, mentioning people's names and responding when some of the rehabilitation people talk to her. For example, one woman introduced herself as Annie and then asked Mayra who she was, and Mayra was able to answer "Annie." When her father asked her if she had a sister, Mayra answered, "Yes, Maryana." She has also been practicing walking and can go up and down stairs as well as stand up on her own.
As far as the fund is concerned, there are various fundraising efforts in effect. At Binghamton University, there will be a party held on March 15th at Sports Bar on Stage Street to raise money for the fund. There will be an open bar, as well as raffles and DJ. The party will go from 10:00 pm until 1:00am. There will be a $6 cover charge as well as a donation jar by the raffle table. In White Plains, Mrs. Cashman has organized a bake sale that was held Sunday, March 11th, with all proceeds going to the fund.
Remember to keep me posted with any other efforts!
Sorry for the long delay in updating the blog! Here is the latest news that I have heard regarding Mayra's progress. She is starting to regain her eye sight! She has been looking at people when they talk to her and even watching tv and movies. She has been talking a lot more also, mentioning people's names and responding when some of the rehabilitation people talk to her. For example, one woman introduced herself as Annie and then asked Mayra who she was, and Mayra was able to answer "Annie." When her father asked her if she had a sister, Mayra answered, "Yes, Maryana." She has also been practicing walking and can go up and down stairs as well as stand up on her own.
As far as the fund is concerned, there are various fundraising efforts in effect. At Binghamton University, there will be a party held on March 15th at Sports Bar on Stage Street to raise money for the fund. There will be an open bar, as well as raffles and DJ. The party will go from 10:00 pm until 1:00am. There will be a $6 cover charge as well as a donation jar by the raffle table. In White Plains, Mrs. Cashman has organized a bake sale that was held Sunday, March 11th, with all proceeds going to the fund.
Remember to keep me posted with any other efforts!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Latest News: February 22, 2007
Hello all,
Here is the latest news about Mayra:
Today has brought some great improvements in Mayra's condition. She is able to hold a water bottle today while yesterday she could not. She even said the word water. She also repeated her name twice. She is off of the antibiotics and the infection is pretty much all gone, and they are thinking about starting rehab with her soon.
As far as the broadcasts are concerned, the Noticias 41 one aired last night at around 11:00pm (sorry I didn't know sooner!) and still no news yet about when the others will be aired.
The campaigning process for donations is continuing in full force in Westchester County (and all over, I'm sure), and posters are being generated to ultimately be placed in several participating businesses throughout the county. Also, the response to the newspaper articles and broadcasts has, so far, been overwhelming. I hope everyone keeps up the good work in praying for Mayra and her family!
Here is the latest news about Mayra:
Today has brought some great improvements in Mayra's condition. She is able to hold a water bottle today while yesterday she could not. She even said the word water. She also repeated her name twice. She is off of the antibiotics and the infection is pretty much all gone, and they are thinking about starting rehab with her soon.
As far as the broadcasts are concerned, the Noticias 41 one aired last night at around 11:00pm (sorry I didn't know sooner!) and still no news yet about when the others will be aired.
The campaigning process for donations is continuing in full force in Westchester County (and all over, I'm sure), and posters are being generated to ultimately be placed in several participating businesses throughout the county. Also, the response to the newspaper articles and broadcasts has, so far, been overwhelming. I hope everyone keeps up the good work in praying for Mayra and her family!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Just a note...
Make sure to keep me updated as to whatever anyone is doing on their own to raise money and/or awareness about Mayra so that I can post it! Again, thank you so much for everyone's continuing love and support.
Coming up...
Mayra's story will be in future airings of Noticias 41, Channel 12 Westchester, and WCBS FM. I believe the WCBS radio one already ran once today at 12:00pm, but it is supposed to air sporadically a few more times. I will post when the other stories will be airing as soon as I find out. Sorry for everyone not in Westchester that cannot watch and listen to them, but I will also try to see if they can somehow be taped.
Coming up...
Mayra's story will be in future airings of Noticias 41, Channel 12 Westchester, and WCBS FM. I believe the WCBS radio one already ran once today at 12:00pm, but it is supposed to air sporadically a few more times. I will post when the other stories will be airing as soon as I find out. Sorry for everyone not in Westchester that cannot watch and listen to them, but I will also try to see if they can somehow be taped.
Newest Newspaper Article- 2.21.07
This article was in today's newspaper (February 21st, 2007):
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS02/702210343/1018
White Plains student with meningitis comes home
By MELISSA KLEIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
A college student from White Plains who contracted bacterial meningitis while studying in Spain was being evaluated at a New York City hospital yesterday after arriving back in the United States.
Mayra Rodriguez, 20, landed at LaGuardia Airport at 10 a.m. after flying overnight on an air ambulance. She was taken immediately to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan.
Irma Rodriguez said doctors were doing a battery of tests on her daughter, and the family did not have any information yet on her prognosis.
"It's a whole team of doctors and staff who are probably going to take a couple days to evaluate her," Rodriguez said.
Mayra, a junior at Binghamton University, became sick three weeks ago, shortly after arriving in Salamanca for a study abroad program. She was in a coma initially, but has made some progress and has been able to move around in her bed.
Her parents flew immediately to Spain to be with her and her father, Ramiro, accompanied her home on the air ambulance.
Irma Rodriguez, who flew home Monday, said Mayra has been calling out "mommy" and on Monday was able to repeat her own name.
Meningitis is an infection in the fluid that surrounds the brain. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, stiff neck, sore throat and vomiting.
Mayra was taken to a Salamanca hospital a day after complaining of a headache, sore throat and fever.
Mayra had been vaccinated against meningitis, but the vaccine does not protect against all strains of the illness.
Penny Judelson of White Plains has set up a fund to help defray expenses for the Rodriguez family.
Judelson said local businesses, college students and strangers were coming forward to contribute.
Judelson's daughter, Amanda, a close friend of Mayra's, held a party at the University of Pennsylvania last weekend that raised almost $700.
Contributions may be sent to Penny Judelson, Box 89, White Plains, N.Y. 10605-0089.
Checks should be made out to Mayra Rodriguez in care of Penny Judelson. Include your name and address with the contribution.
Reach Melissa Klein at mklein@lohud.com or 914-694-5063.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS02/702210343/1018
White Plains student with meningitis comes home
By MELISSA KLEIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
A college student from White Plains who contracted bacterial meningitis while studying in Spain was being evaluated at a New York City hospital yesterday after arriving back in the United States.
Mayra Rodriguez, 20, landed at LaGuardia Airport at 10 a.m. after flying overnight on an air ambulance. She was taken immediately to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan.
Irma Rodriguez said doctors were doing a battery of tests on her daughter, and the family did not have any information yet on her prognosis.
"It's a whole team of doctors and staff who are probably going to take a couple days to evaluate her," Rodriguez said.
Mayra, a junior at Binghamton University, became sick three weeks ago, shortly after arriving in Salamanca for a study abroad program. She was in a coma initially, but has made some progress and has been able to move around in her bed.
Her parents flew immediately to Spain to be with her and her father, Ramiro, accompanied her home on the air ambulance.
Irma Rodriguez, who flew home Monday, said Mayra has been calling out "mommy" and on Monday was able to repeat her own name.
Meningitis is an infection in the fluid that surrounds the brain. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, stiff neck, sore throat and vomiting.
Mayra was taken to a Salamanca hospital a day after complaining of a headache, sore throat and fever.
Mayra had been vaccinated against meningitis, but the vaccine does not protect against all strains of the illness.
Penny Judelson of White Plains has set up a fund to help defray expenses for the Rodriguez family.
Judelson said local businesses, college students and strangers were coming forward to contribute.
Judelson's daughter, Amanda, a close friend of Mayra's, held a party at the University of Pennsylvania last weekend that raised almost $700.
Contributions may be sent to Penny Judelson, Box 89, White Plains, N.Y. 10605-0089.
Checks should be made out to Mayra Rodriguez in care of Penny Judelson. Include your name and address with the contribution.
Reach Melissa Klein at mklein@lohud.com or 914-694-5063.
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Mayra Fund Information
For anyone interested in fundraising and/or donating to The Mayra Fund, here is the information:
Penny Judelson c/o Mayra Rodriguez
P.O. Box 89
White Plains, New York 10605-0089
Thank you!
Penny Judelson c/o Mayra Rodriguez
P.O. Box 89
White Plains, New York 10605-0089
Thank you!
Mayra is coming back to NY!
Hello everyone,
Mayra is flying in to Westchester County Airport tonight at around 1 o'clock in the morning with her father Ramiro. Irma is already back in NY and waiting for them at Columbia Presbyterian. I'm not sure yet on what the visiting policy will be, but I will post that as soon as I hear.
Thank you again for everyone's support and well-wishing. I'm sure Mayra's family and friends greatly appreciate everyone's kind words. A fund raiser was held at the University of Pennsylvania and we were able to raise over $650, so thank you to everyone invloved in making that possible as well.
Mayra is flying in to Westchester County Airport tonight at around 1 o'clock in the morning with her father Ramiro. Irma is already back in NY and waiting for them at Columbia Presbyterian. I'm not sure yet on what the visiting policy will be, but I will post that as soon as I hear.
Thank you again for everyone's support and well-wishing. I'm sure Mayra's family and friends greatly appreciate everyone's kind words. A fund raiser was held at the University of Pennsylvania and we were able to raise over $650, so thank you to everyone invloved in making that possible as well.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Welcome to Mayra's Blog!
Welcome to the blog about Mayra's progress. Check back often as this will be updated with any new news. If you have any information please e-mail me at amandafj at sas.upenn.edu.
Our first piece of information comes via the Journal News paper in White Plains, New York:
http://mail.google.com/mail/?auth=DQAAAG4AAAACMribtdrM_WT1omVoE9S8lVk_ws8TxDlX9uj4ymolveUXDvv6X7jjABHihHaI3JLCnEKY9tSbl2UODdyhu5jGwebVjpzdMOoDpmSynlYlDJWGDNlBO3JyYu0hl0zTT9uDqneUMi3S2k9gMgL9TxIG
College student from White Plains gets meningitis in Spain
By MELISSA KLEIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
All signs pointed to a good experience for Mayra Rodriguez as she set out this January on her semester abroad in Spain.
Her Spanish was good enough to get her into the regular classes at the University of Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, and she was volunteering to teach English at a local elementary school.
"Everything we heard was happiness," said her mother, Irma Rodriguez of White Plains.
In a matter of hours, that unraveled. Mayra called her mother three weeks ago to say she had a horrible headache. Twelve hours later, at 4 a.m., her parents received a call that Mayra, 20, was in the hospital.
Irma and Ramiro Rodriguez rushed to Spain. When they arrived, their daughter was in a coma and they were told she had bacterial meningitis.
Mayra, a junior at Binghamton University, has since made some improvement, and her mother said she can move around in bed and is able to eat a bit of food.
"It's telling you that it's hope," her mother said this week in a telephone interview from Spain. "When we came, they told us there is no hope."
As of yesterday, Mayra was still not talking and was not aware of what was going on around her, Rodriguez said.
The road ahead for Mayra will likely be a lengthy one. As her parents this week were making arrangements to have her flown back to New York on an air ambulance, a family friend in White Plains was working to set up a nonprofit fund to help defray medical expenses.
Mayra became sick despite having been vaccinated against meningitis.
College freshmen living in dormitories are at higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease, which can cause meningitis. New York state law requires colleges to inform students and parents about the benefits of the meningitis vaccine, but does not require that students take it.
Rodriguez said her daughter had been vaccinated twice - once before attending a summer program at a California college while she was still in high school and again before she started college.
The vaccine offers protection against most, but not all, strains of meningococcal disease.
Meningitis is an infection in the fluid that surrounds the brain and is treated with antibiotics.
"It's one of those infections that prior to antibiotics was 100 percent fatal," said Dr. Gary Wormser, chief of infectious diseases at Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, both in Valhalla. "Now with antibiotics, the majority are not fatal."
The consequences of an infection can be devastating, though, sometimes leading to amputation because of gangrene in the extremities. Wormser said Mayra was past the point where gangrene would be a concern.
"I wouldn't even make a guess as to how much she could improve," he said. "It could be quite significantly."
Mayra went to Spain in early January for a study abroad program run by another school in the state university system, SUNY Cortland.
Students live with host families in Salamanca and can take special classes for foreigners. Mayra qualified, though, to enroll in the University of Salamanca.
"Her Spanish is good, and then she's an excellent student on top of that," said Katharine Krebs, director of international education at Binghamton University, where Mayra is majoring in philosophy, politics and law.
When Mayra became ill Jan. 26, Krebs, who speaks Spanish, flew to Spain and spent a week there to offer support.
Krebs said every student in the study abroad program was required to have health insurance to cover them overseas as well as a policy for medical evacuation.
Mayra's parents, who also speak Spanish, were keeping a 24-hour vigil at their daughter's bedside. Irma Rodriguez said that the hospital was understaffed, and that they never deal with the same doctor twice.
Rodriguez has a part-time catering business and works for the Women's Enterprise Development Center in White Plains. Her husband works in construction.
Penny Judelson of White Plains has set up a nonprofit foundation to help defray the family's expenses. She said White Plains lawyer Theresa Girolomo donated her services to help set up the fund.
Judelson's daughter, Amanda, is a close friend of Mayra's. Judelson said Mayra was an accomplished violinist and artist who once worked for a domestic violence program in White Plains and as a volunteer at White Plains Hospital Center.
"This child is just a gift," she said.
Our first piece of information comes via the Journal News paper in White Plains, New York:
http://mail.google.com/mail/?auth=DQAAAG4AAAACMribtdrM_WT1omVoE9S8lVk_ws8TxDlX9uj4ymolveUXDvv6X7jjABHihHaI3JLCnEKY9tSbl2UODdyhu5jGwebVjpzdMOoDpmSynlYlDJWGDNlBO3JyYu0hl0zTT9uDqneUMi3S2k9gMgL9TxIG
College student from White Plains gets meningitis in Spain
By MELISSA KLEIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
All signs pointed to a good experience for Mayra Rodriguez as she set out this January on her semester abroad in Spain.
Her Spanish was good enough to get her into the regular classes at the University of Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, and she was volunteering to teach English at a local elementary school.
"Everything we heard was happiness," said her mother, Irma Rodriguez of White Plains.
In a matter of hours, that unraveled. Mayra called her mother three weeks ago to say she had a horrible headache. Twelve hours later, at 4 a.m., her parents received a call that Mayra, 20, was in the hospital.
Irma and Ramiro Rodriguez rushed to Spain. When they arrived, their daughter was in a coma and they were told she had bacterial meningitis.
Mayra, a junior at Binghamton University, has since made some improvement, and her mother said she can move around in bed and is able to eat a bit of food.
"It's telling you that it's hope," her mother said this week in a telephone interview from Spain. "When we came, they told us there is no hope."
As of yesterday, Mayra was still not talking and was not aware of what was going on around her, Rodriguez said.
The road ahead for Mayra will likely be a lengthy one. As her parents this week were making arrangements to have her flown back to New York on an air ambulance, a family friend in White Plains was working to set up a nonprofit fund to help defray medical expenses.
Mayra became sick despite having been vaccinated against meningitis.
College freshmen living in dormitories are at higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease, which can cause meningitis. New York state law requires colleges to inform students and parents about the benefits of the meningitis vaccine, but does not require that students take it.
Rodriguez said her daughter had been vaccinated twice - once before attending a summer program at a California college while she was still in high school and again before she started college.
The vaccine offers protection against most, but not all, strains of meningococcal disease.
Meningitis is an infection in the fluid that surrounds the brain and is treated with antibiotics.
"It's one of those infections that prior to antibiotics was 100 percent fatal," said Dr. Gary Wormser, chief of infectious diseases at Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, both in Valhalla. "Now with antibiotics, the majority are not fatal."
The consequences of an infection can be devastating, though, sometimes leading to amputation because of gangrene in the extremities. Wormser said Mayra was past the point where gangrene would be a concern.
"I wouldn't even make a guess as to how much she could improve," he said. "It could be quite significantly."
Mayra went to Spain in early January for a study abroad program run by another school in the state university system, SUNY Cortland.
Students live with host families in Salamanca and can take special classes for foreigners. Mayra qualified, though, to enroll in the University of Salamanca.
"Her Spanish is good, and then she's an excellent student on top of that," said Katharine Krebs, director of international education at Binghamton University, where Mayra is majoring in philosophy, politics and law.
When Mayra became ill Jan. 26, Krebs, who speaks Spanish, flew to Spain and spent a week there to offer support.
Krebs said every student in the study abroad program was required to have health insurance to cover them overseas as well as a policy for medical evacuation.
Mayra's parents, who also speak Spanish, were keeping a 24-hour vigil at their daughter's bedside. Irma Rodriguez said that the hospital was understaffed, and that they never deal with the same doctor twice.
Rodriguez has a part-time catering business and works for the Women's Enterprise Development Center in White Plains. Her husband works in construction.
Penny Judelson of White Plains has set up a nonprofit foundation to help defray the family's expenses. She said White Plains lawyer Theresa Girolomo donated her services to help set up the fund.
Judelson's daughter, Amanda, is a close friend of Mayra's. Judelson said Mayra was an accomplished violinist and artist who once worked for a domestic violence program in White Plains and as a volunteer at White Plains Hospital Center.
"This child is just a gift," she said.
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