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The views expressed in these websites and other quoted resources represent those of the authors and are not the views or official policy of The Encephalitis Society and its Professional Panel. |
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Family’s fight to put rare condition in the spotlight 
Left to right: Dad Richard Sam Bullen was born a healthy baby but a bout of chickenpox at ten weeks old led to him contracting a potentially fatal condition which has left him with a string of devastating effects. Sam suffered a stroke shortly after contracting encephalitis - which is swelling of the brain - and had to learn to use the left side of his body again. Now aged nine, the plucky youngster has to undergo regular physiotherapy and uses a wheelchair for travelling distances. The Colley Lane Primary pupil cannot swallow food properly and also suffers from asthma and dyspraxia - a condition which affects co-ordination, balance motor skills, language, thought and perception. His mum Mandy is fighting to raise awareness of encephalitis - a swelling of the brain often caused by infections which kills ten per cent of its victims. She is also raising funds for the Encephalitis Society which has proved a lifeline for the family and is organising an event at Quarry Bank Labour Club on October 10. Generous firms are needed to donate raffle items. A signed West Bromwich Albion football and tickets to the Black Country Museum are amongst items already pledged. Mandy and husband Richard, of Lyde Green, Cradley, only heard about the society in January when watching an episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on which its patron Martin Kemp, of Spandau Ballet fame, appeared. The couple want to make other people aware of the little-known condition. Many said: "We have struggled with Sam's conditions for the past nine years and Sam has had many, many hospital stays. "We now understand Sam's conditions and will continue to raise awareness and funds for this fantastic society. "We have to deal with what we have got now - Sam's a happy little boy but we want to help people recognise the symptoms." At the awareness event a collection will be made to raise funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital's oncology unit which is treating Mandy's seven-year-old goddaughter Ellycia Daisley, of Netherton, who suffers from leukaemia. Mandy and friends and family have already raised more than £200 from a collection at the Caravan and Camping Club in Holt Fleet. 3:02pm Thursday 19th June 2008 Researching Encephalitis The Department is currently undertaking a research project with the Encephalitis Society entitled ‘After the Illness: Living with the Consequences of Encephalitis’.
Eastenders star comes to Leeds for launch of brain charity's DVD When I first came out of a brain tumour operation I lost the use of my leg, one eye and I still suffer from epilepsy today. – Actor Martin Kemp, at last night's charity DVD launch SOAP stars past and present were out in force in Leeds last night to celebrate the launch of a new DVD raising awareness of the brain disease Encephalitis. 13 March 2007 - Yorkshire Evening Post |
Page 10, Last modified: 27 June 2008
