Moorpark Boy Latest To Be Diagnosed With Mysterious Polio-Like Illness

 March 20, 2014 10:25 PM
MOORPARK (CBSLA.com) — A 2-year-old Moorpark boy is the latest to be diagnosed with a mysterious polio-like illness.
When Lucian Olivera was 11 months, he had an ear infection. Then, he couldn’t stand or use his legs.
For months, doctors didn’t know what was wrong.
“I felt helpless. It was extremely frustrating. It was hard to sit and not be able to help him,” Olivera’s mother, Erin, said.
On Friday, the family went to Stanford University, where it was confirmed Olivera had the polio-like syndrome.
“You don’t realize what you have until something goes really, really wrong,” Erin said.
So far, there have been 20 cases of the paralyzing virus in the state.
Doctors said Olivera’s case is the first in Southern California.
They’re still researching all the possibilities.
“Really, it’s unknown the severity of this for each individual. The thought is that it is permanent, but we don’t know all the things that will happen to every patient,” Dr. John Dingilian said.
KCAL9’s Brittney Hopper reported that Olivera has to wear a brace for his legs. He will most likely never be able to walk on his own.
Olivera’s mother, however, said it’s his smile and determination that keeps everyone going.
“You’ll see him trying his hardest with the cane and that determination makes me keep going forward,” Erin said.