Woman went out for a cigarette break – moments later she couldn’t walk

Carmen Patin has been wheelchair-bound since contracting West Nile virus after stepping outside her home for a smoke (Pictures: NBC/KFDX-TV)

A woman who stepped outside her home to smoke a cigarette was left suddenly unable to walk.

Carmen Patin, 53, was taking a break outside her house in Wichita Falls, Texas, and was walking back inside when her legs gave way, KFDX reported.

Her husband dragged her to their vehicle and took her to United Regional hospital, where she spent the next dozen days.

‘I literally was paralyzed,’ said Patin, who is a mother.

Carmen Patin was left paralyzed after going outside for a smoke (Picture: NBC/KFDX-TV)

‘I couldn’t hardly move; I couldn’t think, I couldn’t speak. I mean, I was totally out of it, and just like my legs were completely incapacitated.’

Doctors initially treated Patin for meningitis. However, they soon realized through spinal testing that she had contracted the West Nile virus.

Patin was transferred to Encompass Health Rehab Hospital, where she needs help to do basic things.

‘I have to have help to go into the bathroom. I have to have help getting dressed. I have to have help getting in and out of bed,’ she said.

Carmen Patin is seeing physical and occupational therapists (Picture: NBC/KFDX-TV)

‘I had a big garden in my backyard; we have an above-ground swimming pool and things like that. I’ve got seven grandkids, you know, and I can’t do any of that now.’

Patin, who is wheelchair-bound, is getting seen by physical and occupational therapists who are trying to help her be able to walk again.

She said she never imagined that mosquito bites could turn her health and life upside down and advocates for wearing protection against the insects like clothing to cover arms and legs.

Carmen Patin has warned that people should protect against mosquitos by taking measures like covering their arms and legs (Picture: NBC/KFDX-TV)

‘I thought it was some, you know, little virus you get. You get a little sick or flu-like symptoms, and, you know, you’ll be fine,’ Patin said.

‘But that wasn’t the case with me.’

Texas has had 18 West Nile virus cases so far in 2024, the most of any state in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 103 cases nationwide this year.

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