Elizabeth McCarthy

Elizabeth is a senior technical writer in the medical device sector and a former international teacher in China, Pakistan, India, and Kenya. She has also spent time at McMurdo Base, Antarctica as a technical writer documenting operations and facilities there.

Elizabeth is honoured to join the Board as a Trustee and as a survivor of HSV1 meningoencephalitis, which she contracted in 2023. After spending nearly a month in hospital and rehabilitation, Elizabeth spent the next six months in physical and speech therapy before returning to work full-time. She realizes that she was extremely fortunate to have been diagnosed quickly, which made all the difference in her survival.

Encephalitis International provided Elizabeth with critical information when she was newly diagnosed with encephalitis and facilitated access to survivor peer group meetings during her recovery. The Help Center also provided invaluable support and information about changes in family dynamics caused by emotional and cognitive changes and dealing with an invisible injury.

Elizabeth has run a number of marathons in the past and took up open water marathon swimming in her 60’s. Although unsure of her ability to resume marathon swimming after her recovery, Elizabeth completed the 28-mile 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan in 2024, a year after her hospitalization. She still swims long distances in open water and plans to tackle several iconic marathon swims in the near future.

A link to her story is here: https://www.encephalitis.info/story/herpes-simplex-encephalitis-virus-elizabeths-story/

As a Trustee with a lived experience, Elizabeth hopes to serve as an inspiration to other survivors of encephalitis and encourage them to actively engage in their own physical, mental, and emotional recovery.

Elizabeth enjoys living in Dorset County near the sea, which offers many opportunities for swimming and walks on the Jurassic Coast.