In 2010, 19-year-old Sam Ballard from Sydney, Australia, tragically suffered severe health consequences after accepting a dare from his friends to eat a live slug. The slug carried a parasite called rat lungworm, which led to Ballard contracting eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, a rare form of meningitis. The infection caused him to experience severe pain and weakness, eventually leaving him paralyzed.
Ballard fell into a coma for 420 days, and when he awoke, he was severely disabled, needing round-the-clock care for the rest of his life. A YouTube simulation by Zack D.Films has since illustrated what happened inside Ballard’s body, showing how the parasite spread and ultimately caused severe brain damage. The simulation aims to raise awareness about the dangers of taking such risky dares.
Despite the tragic outcome, Ballard’s friends were not blamed for the incident. His family, particularly his brother, expressed that the friends should not feel guilty, emphasizing their strong bond. Sadly, Ballard passed away in 2018 at the age of 29.
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the unforeseen risks involved in seemingly harmless dares.
