Arcata, California – A father-of-two, Ryan Alto, has been fighting seizures and hallucinations after doctors discovered he was suffering from a rare brain disease. Initially experiencing flu-like symptoms in October 2024, Ryan’s health quickly deteriorated, leaving him disoriented and non-responsive. His wife Jennifer took him to the local emergency room at St Joseph Hospital in Arcata when his condition failed to improve after a week. Within hours, Ryan was hallucinating and having seizures, prompting his transfer to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center for treatment.
At the age of 48, Ryan was diagnosed with Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a rare neuroimmunologic disorder causing the body to create antibodies that attack receptors in the brain. This led to symptoms such as dysfunction in speech and walking. The disease, discovered in 2007, affects about one person in every 1.5 million in the United States. Medical professionals found blood clots in Ryan’s body, increasing his risk for seizures and complicating his treatment.
Ryan fell into an eight-week coma, emerging unable to walk, stand, or lift his arms, with continued delusions. Though his health began to improve after eight weeks, he still faced memory issues and neurological symptoms. Despite his progress, Ryan remained in the hospital for 19 weeks, with limited mobility and other medical complications hindering his ability to receive specialized rehabilitation care. After facing rejections from various facilities, he was finally accepted to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago for treatment.
A GoFundMe was launched to help cover treatment costs, as Ryan’s slow recovery and intense medical needs posed challenges for his family. The crowdfunding page raised over $100,000, ensuring financial support for his rehabilitation. Jennifer, Ryan’s wife, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support received from family, friends, and even strangers. She remains hopeful for Ryan’s recovery, believing that with proper care and therapy, he can overcome his condition in the coming months.
As the Alto family navigates through this challenging time, they find solace in the outpouring of kindness and generosity from their community. Ryan’s journey to recovery may be long, but with the support of those around him, they are confident in his ability to come back stronger than ever. The family is looking forward to the day when Ryan can return home, where they can personally express their gratitude to all those who have stood by them during this difficult period.