ENCEPHALITIS CASES

Encephalitis Cases

Hope

My injury (ABI) was when I was just 20. It happened in May of 1996. My sickness was due to a mosquito bite. I didn't know what was going on, “I was scared to say the least!” I was trying to take care of my son. My fiancée took me to the hospital where they said it was just a migraine, and they sent me home.

I had the headache for two more weeks, so I went to another hospital where they did a spinal tap and other tests. They found my brain was enlarged, that was causing the headaches due to swelling of the brain. They ended up doing surgery on me immediately to relieve the pressure. They had told my family they didn't think I’d make it, and if I did I would never be able to live on my own.

I finally woke up from my 6 month coma, hearing the sound of my son. It was like hearing music, refreshing to say the least! When I awoke I also came to know the face of my occupation therapist who became a very important person in my fight. I started focusing on getting better so I’d be able to take care of my son.

I do struggle every day with being in a chair but, I see it like this, I can only get better if I try and I can only do it if I fight for LIFE, I have to believe, I can’t get down about being sick. Although, there are times I wish my life where different. I had lost precious time with my son.

There is just so much I’ve learned with having a disability and now living on my own. WOW! Believe me there have been disappointments but, along came the accomplishments and they would outweigh the disappointments. Having a disability has taught me many things about myself and the person I am becoming. I have learned and I have grown. A motto that has been stated to me is: when life hands you lemons make lemonade.

We are all strong and I am sure ALL of us in someway, have had our own roadblocks and challenges, but, we have made sure that the bumps in the road were just that, bumps. We have made changes and sacrificed a lot to be here, where we are!

Life changes so fast.

Knowing I have missed things about who I was, but, also, knowing I’m learning to love who I am becoming (ME!)

I just want to tell everyone - Keep pushing forward and shoot for the moon, you’ll still land among the stars.” Make the most out of life and live each day as if it was your last.

Hope Wattles
NY, U.S.A.

Posted: June 20, 2007

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