A childhood illness led to lasting challenges, resilience and a life shaped by determination.

Becoming ill

I was 13 and went on a school trip to a youth hostel in 1974. I felt pretty rough while we were there. They said I had food poisoning. When I came home, it was my confirmation day. I managed the church service then went home. We held a celebration meal at home for a number of us that had been confirmed and their families.

I felt really ill with a horrible banging headache. I don’t remember anything after that for about 6 weeks.

I have younger brothers all of whom wondered if I was going to die.

Diagnosis and care at home

My parents were both doctors and the neurologist came to our home to diagnose me with viral encephalitis. My mother asked what they would do in hospital that she couldn’t do at home, and was told nothing. So I stayed at home unconscious, cared for by my parents rather than receiving any formal rehabilitation therapy.

Learning to recover

When I regained consciousness, I had to learn to walk and talk again. I was blind in one eye. The neurologist wore an eye patch and lent me one of his to wear for protection.

I loved swimming and wasn’t allowed to swim. I kept questioning my mum and finally she told me I might have a fit.

I gained the sight back after some months and was able to walk effectively. I returned to school after the summer holidays, very much thinner and weaker, slowly finding my way back into everyday life.

Ongoing effects

I lost the power to recall words and learnt to give clues for them instead. Even now, I can’t always find the word I need, so I might ask something like, “What do you call that thing you shut?” when I mean a door. People love to finish your sentences, so I’ve managed that for the rest of my life.

It was irritating in the early years when the family talked about events when I had been unconscious

Moving forward

I’ve managed well through sheer dogged determination. I trained as a nurse and health visitor, and later became a senior NHS manager.

I still struggle with words and numbers too.

At 62 I was diagnosed as ADHD. I wonder if that is due to brain damage, or was it there anyway.

I think I was very lucky. If I could say something to someone newly diagnosed, or to their family, it would be that encephalitis can be overcome. Be positive if you can, be honest about limitations, and be happy for the smallest of wins.

If you would like to speak to our support team about encephalitis, please contact our helpline.

Story published September 2026