Florida teen battling brain-eating amoeba being treated at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago

Wednesday, August 31, 2022
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 13-year-old boy with a rare brain disease will be brought to Chicago from Florida for treatment.

Caleb Ziegelbauer has been fighting a brain-eating amoeba for nearly two months. Most people never recover, but Caleb has survived longer than most.
[Ads /]
"He is made of pure grit and determination, and it is exactly that which we are banking on to wake him up," said Jesse Ziegelbauer, Caleb's mother. "I can't wait for him to share his story with you."

Caleb Zieglebauer



Caleb visited a beach in Port Charlotte, Florida on July 1 and began complaining to his parents about a headache. Soon after, they noticed he had a fever.
[Ads /]
Caleb was then taken to a hospital by his family, where he has been since. He was flown from Tampa, Florida to Chicago on Wednesday, where he will be treated at the world-class rehabilitation center Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover medical costs. So far, more than $64,000 has been raised.
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.