A Long Three Years
Following Ballard’s initial infection, the young teen was stuck in the hospital for three years of lengthy, taxing recovery. “When I walked in, he was very very gaunt, and there were cables everywhere–it was a big shock,” said Michael Sheasby, a longtime friend of Ballard’s. Along with losing his mobility, Ballard must be tube fed, suffers from seizures and can not control his body temperature.