He was Oklahoma's first confirmed case of the West Nile virus this year and spent a month in the hospital and in rehabilitation.

Now more than 10 weeks later, Hal Dalton still can’t walk.

"It hit me hard.  Of course, I am 78 years old and that was another factor against me, you know, 50 and above is what they're saying- it is critical to those people,” says Dalton.

He described to KRMG the symptoms as flu-like and that he got so weak while at home that he couldn’t walk to the car to go the hospital.

After the first night in the hospital, he lost his vision and the use of his legs.

"I have got inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.  My brain is not talking to my legs, that's about as simple as they could put it.  It is long term.  There's no prognosis- maybe I'll walk maybe I won't- I think I will,” says Dalton.

The McAlester resident tells us he was a weight lifter and in great shape prior to getting West Nile but since the first week in June, he is weak.

His recovery and rehabilitation has involved using 2lb. weights, a lot different from the man who earlier this year pulled down more than 200 pounds when working his arms and triceps.

Dalton says his wife, Debbie, took weeks off from work to be by his side and to help with his recovery and says the West Nile virus left his body weak and it’s difficult to do small tasks.

"We stopped by a pop machine, she (Debbie, his wife) said hold this can of pop ‘til we get to your room and we didn't go 10 foot and I had to lay the pop down on my leg because I couldn't hold it that is how weak I was,” says Dalton.

Dalton tells us there's been improvement in regaining some of his upper body strength but no progress with his legs.