Brookline Teen Raising Money For Rare Illness

BROOKLINE, MA — A young resident is raising money to fight a rare illness that she has personal experience with.

Charlie Morgan Shuman, 17, began dealing with sudden severe social anxiety when she was five years old. In sixth grade, Shuman’s condition worsened when she caught a case of strep throat.
“I woke up that morning and I couldn't go to school," Shuman said. "I was angry all the time. My OCD was terrible. I couldn't write. I don't think I could read."

Shuman’s condition continued for two years until she was finally diagnosed with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. PANDAS/PANS are autoimmune disorders that occur when an infection triggers a misdirected immune response resulting in inflammation of the brain. Infections include but are not limited to Strep, Mono, Pneumonia, COVID, Influenza and Lyme Disease. Shuman reportedly also had Bartonella, Lyme Disease, and mold exposure that was slowing her recovery. With her ailment uncovered, she has since received proper treatment and made a substantial recovery.

Shuman will be walking in Look Foundation -Making Strides for PANS and PANDAS at the Boston Common on Saturday, Oct. 4. She and her peers will be raising money for treatment and care for the approximately 33,000 children in Massachusetts who suffer from the disorders.
"I feel like the majority of days are basically perfect now," Shuman said. "I never pictured getting better when it was bad."

The Look Foundation has allocated more than $400,000 in grants for families dealing with PANS and PANDAS since 2017.

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