In early November 2024, I became unwell with what appeared to be gastro like symptoms. My immune system began fighting the virus but, in doing so, accidentally shut my brain down, causing it to inflame.

 

How it started

I battled this at home for a week – high temperatures, extreme fatigue, confusion, and a throbbing pain at the back of my head. I stopped making sense.

I was incredibly fortunate that my wife took me to emergency at our nearest hospital, where I was treated immediately.

 

Hospital & ICU

It took the hospital about a week to determine that I had encephalitis.

After doing several tests and treatments, it wasn’t completely conclusive what type of encephalitis I had , as the hospital wasn’t sure whether it was viral or autoimmune encephalitis, but the neurologist believed it was autoimmune based on the MRI scans.

I spent one week in ICU, followed by two more weeks in hospital and rehab.

I have no recollection of what transpired leading up to my hospitalisation or my time in ICU.

When I first came to, I didn’t know where I was. I had no strength, my vision was blurry, and I had no cognitive ability.

What I do remember is the first time I looked at myself in the mirror while being prepared for a bath. I didn’t like what I saw – and I knew I had to do something about it, and quickly.

 

Recovery

After weeks of rehabilitation in the hospital recovery gym, I slowly began to regain my strength. That led me into the next phase of recovery with an occupational therapist and neuropsychologist.

For six intense weeks, these two incredible professionals gave me the tools and confidence I needed to function again — and ultimately, to return to work.

By the end of April 2025, I was cleared to drive, returned to full time work, and began to feel a sense of normality again.

Returning to work was a huge milestone. It helped me reconnect with the things I love and challenged my brain in ways that were essential to my recovery.

I continued rebuilding my strength at the gym, as I had lost a significant amount of muscle and weight during my hospital stay.

 

The challenges no one sees

This past year was extremely challenging, with cognitive issues being the hardest — struggling to retain information, difficulty concentrating, and needing a lot of rest.

It’s an invisible illness. You may look okay on the outside, but you’re not okay.

I could not have done this without my family — led by my incredible wife, our two gorgeous boys, our beautiful daughter in law, and my brother and sister.

There were also many others who supported me along the way — driving me to appointments, stopping by for a coffee, and sending countless messages of encouragement. The love and support were overwhelming.

 

Faith & perspective

Through all of this, divine intervention played a huge role — giving me strength, belief, and reassurance that I would be okay.

Perhaps all those years of looking up to the skies doing “The George Pose” meant something after all — that when I truly needed help, it would be there for me and my family.

 

A second chance

After nearly 12 months, I can finally say I’ve recovered. I’ve lost 15 kilos, feel stronger and healthier than I ever have, and genuinely feel rejuvenated.

This experience has given me a second chance at life.

The takeaway? Don’t give up. Try to turn even the hardest moments into something positive. You’ll see life differently, and you’ll make changes that truly matter.

And if you ever feel something isn’t right — go to hospital, get checked. It could make all the difference.

Encephalitis International helped me with information and having group chats over the past 12 months was huge in me recovery.

 

If you would like support for encephalitis please contact our helpine.

Story published April 2026