On the first day of encephalitis, this virus gave to me, A migraine that brought me to my knees. On the second day of encephalitis, this virus gave to me, 2 broken lobes and a migraine that brought me to my knees. On the third day of encephalitis, this virus gave to me, […]
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10 Years Post Encephalitis: Finding Meaning
Today marks 10 years since my life was changed by what I would later learn was encephalitis. Looking back, I had no idea how it would impact me. Nor did I ever imagine good things that would come of it. Top 10 list about the impact of encephalitis A sense of belonging: my circle of […]
56 Years of Mistaken Identity Post Encephalitis
Warning to readers. This is a story of 56 years of a “mistaken identity.” A miracle, if I may proclaim it. In this fourth issue of a series on “success post encephalitis,” you might find yourself amazed by the resilience of the human spirit. In November 2011, I had the momentous occasion to meet Carol […]
Success Post Encephalitis Vol. 3 – Memory
In this third series of “success post encephalitis,” I’d like to open by acknowledging some of the great comments that survivors and caregivers have sent in response to these stories. A few remarked that it took some pressure off the need to work so hard to hide the residuals. Others said it reminded them to […]
Success Post Encephalitis – A New Identity – Volume 2
“What does success look like post encephalitis?” This is the second article in a series of interviews with survivors. I only asked one basic question and it’s been fun to see how this experience moves each of us in a unique way. When I attended my first Encephalitis Global survivors’ and caregivers’ conference, I met […]
What Success Looks Like Post Encephalitis
Success? Hmmm. Are we measuring in miles or inches? In the interactions I’ve had with hundreds of survivors, success looks different from person to person even though survival looks similar. Regardless of how we acquired encephalitis … West Nile, auto-immune disorder, Herpes, Lyme’s, etc. the outcomes are similar. Memory loss, extreme fatigue, speech disorders and […]
When Words Don’t Come
“Still Alice” captures the dramatic nature of dementia in its recent release in theaters. Julianne Moore gracefully depicts the real-life trauma of forgetting and the unfortunate shame that accompanies that circumstance. If years lend us the opportunity to grow older, most of us will gradually meet this tragic and startling experience head on. As a […]
Stick for Brains: 5 No-Cost Ideas for Sticking Memory to Your Brain
Got Sticky notes on your mirror? Frig door? Back doorknob? It was when my cat’s fur was littered by vet reminders that I decided to work on memory. Memory matters. It’s what shapes our unique identities. Whether recalling a significant childhood milestone or remembering names in a business environment, memory plays a vital role in […]
Show You Know: Some Amazing Encephalitis Stats
Sharks attack roughly 75 people worldwide a year, killing an average of 5. In the U.S., out of 1,300 tornadoes per year, about 60 people die. We all have a healthy fear of sharks and tornadoes. But what about mosquitoes? They kill more than 1 million people per year around the globe, claiming the prize […]
Following Instructions: Like a Foreign Language Post Brain Injury
Whether it’s a short recipe, instructions to play a kid’s game or basic directions to hook up a gadget, just a simple set of instructions can seem like a foreign language to a brain injury survivor. Following instructions involves cognitive skills such as attention, memory and problem solving. These skills are often negatively impacted during […]