Seven-year-old Cade was a bright, energetic little boy living a carefree life in Texas, until, without warning, everything changed.

In June 2024, Cade fell suddenly and severely ill. He had shown no signs of being unwell until one day, out of nowhere, he started vomiting, developed a headache and fever, and quickly became confused and disoriented. His parents rushed him to hospital, where doctors soon diagnosed him with meningitis.

But this was only the beginning.

Finding the cause

Cade’s illness was caused by a common bacterial infection, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which usually leads to mild symptoms like a cough or sore throat. In rare cases, however, these bacteria can confuse the immune system, causing it to attack the body’s own brain and nervous system. That’s what happened to Cade. His immune system overreacted, leading to Meningoencephalitis This is a type of encephalitis that causes inflammation in the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding tissue.

On the first day in hospital, Cade was barely conscious and wouldn’t wake up. When he became more alert the following day, it became clear that something was terribly wrong. He had lost the ability to walk, speak clearly, and even see straight. His eyes were crossed, and he had no coordination or balance. Doctors feared his brain and spinal cord were under severe attack.

It wasn’t until six days into his hospital stay that they confirmed encephalitis.

The physical toll

The physical toll was terrifying, but Cade began to fight back. Just eight days in, he began to walk again. After 10 intense days in hospital, he was discharged. And within just a month, thanks to dedicated physical and occupational therapy, he was running, playing baseball, and riding his scooter again. To the outside world, he looked like he had made a miraculous recovery.

But the battle wasn’t over.

Cade still struggles with the invisible aftershocks of his illness. He suffers from PTSD, anxiety, intense fear, and has even experienced what seemed like psychiatric episodes. While the worst of the behavioural symptoms have begun to ease, Cade is still undergoing neuropsychological testing to address ongoing challenges with focus, emotional regulation, and learning. These issues have made school especially difficult.

He looks fine now, but what people can’t see is the hardest part. He’s still not quite the same little boy he was before. We’re so proud of how far he’s come, and we believe in his full recovery, but it’s been a long, emotional road.

If you would like support for encephalitis, please contact our helpline.

Story published March 2026