South Jordan Woman Raising Awareness After Suffering From Rare Auto Immune Disorder

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – A South Jordan woman is speaking out for the first time after suffering from a rare auto immune disorder called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. She’s sharing her story in hopes of raising awareness.

If you were to take a glimpse into Allison Brimhall’s life, it all seems picture perfect. She has five beautiful daughters and a husband she travels the world with.

However, fast forward to today and Allison is still reeling from what life looks like now.

Right before Thanksgiving, Allison was treated for pneumonia with antibiotics when she began experiencing what she believed to be an allergic reaction.

“My eyes just became really saggy and very odd,” said Allison Brimhall. “I woke up and my mouth was really inflamed and there were cuts along my tongue from my teeth.”

She ended up in the hospital where she says doctors tried to diagnose and treat her.

Allergists, dermatologists and even a dentist were consulted. In the meantime, Allison suffered from a wide range of symptoms including lesions and blisters forming all over her body.

“It’s excruciating pain while you skin is sloughing off,” Allison recounted.

Then finally, she says, specialists at the Moran Eye Center diagnosed her with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The syndrome can be triggered by a number of medications like antibiotics, ibuprofen or even Tylenol.

Allison’s case progressed quickly and began affecting her eyes.

“It’s like watching the person you love the most just be tortured, and there is nothing you can do about it,” Kevin Brimhall, Allison’s husband said.

Kevin watched as doctors wheeled his wife away into a surgery that may or may not save her sight.

“It’s really difficult to go in knowing you could come out blind,” Allison said.

The procedure worked, but her nearly month long ordeal wasn’t over.

“Probably one of the scariest moments was when she wrote a note that said, “I can’t breathe,” Kevin remembered.

Even though Allison is home now and looks like she’s healing, the emotional wounds are fresh.

“It’s a very cruel syndrome,” Allison said. “It breaks every piece of you.”

Now, the Brimhalls are attempting to put the pieces back together and also raise awareness about the syndrome.

“The earlier you diagnose it, the quicker you can receive treatment and really minimize a lot of the damage,” Kevin said.

“Early intervention is really important,” Allison said. “It’s important, not just for the individual but for the whole family structure.”

The medical expenses are adding up and are currently around $200,000. If you’d like to help the Brimhall’s there is a GoFundMe page set up on their behalf.