A First Step - Understanding Guillain-Barré Syndrome provides a fresh perspective on a devastating illness, and is a frightening story of a rarely talked about disease from the point of view of one in good health who was suddenly stricken with almost total paralysis. The book is comprised of two distinct parts: Part I, 'What Really Happened', a more or less blow-by-blow account of the effect Guillain-Barré Syndrome had on the author and close family, from its surprise onset, through treatment and subsequent rehabilitation, Part II, 'In Dreams', a vivid description of dreams and hallucinations experienced during seven months of Intensive Care.