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| Julie |
My name is Julie. I contracted viral encephalitis in 1968 at the age of 2 years old. I don't remember much of it other than seeing the ceiling in the ambulance, waking up in the hospital and then the break through in my speech months/years later. I can tell you what my family went through though.
One of the first symptoms I experience were what I called "dizzy spells". With no warning, the room would suddenly start to spin and I would grab whatever was nearest to me (usually my mothers legs). My mother took me in to several pediatricians, none of them finding anything wrong with me. The last one I saw insisted to my parents that I was just trying to get attention, and that a swat on the butt when I got the dizzy spells should fix that. One day shortly after that, my grandmother was babysitting me. I had another dizzy spell and eventually a seizure. My grandmother called for the ambulance, I remember them putting me in. Once in the hospital, they finally made the diagnosis.
According to my family, I fell into a coma and was given my last sacraments two different times. My parents kept promising me that if I came out of the coma, they'd buy me the red bike I had wanted so badly. After 2 weeks, I came out of the coma. I was like a baby again and had to be taught to walk, eat and talk again. I had a slight speech impediment (my "R's" came out like "W's") until the age of 6. I remember sitting at home eating lunch one day and asking my mom if she'd get me a "work" book when she went to the store next (a children's activities book). She literally dropped what she'd been holding and asked me to repeat what I'd just said. I was finally pronouncing my "R's"!
I have made a complete recovery both physically and mentally. I know I'm one of the lucky one's. Two others in the surrounding area were diagnosed around the same time that I was. One didn't make it, and other had permanent brain damage.
One final note. Remember the red bike my parents promised me while I was in a coma? Well, after I came out of the coma, they forgot all about it. I didn't, as soon as I was able to talk, I asked them where it was! (and got it post haste!). Doctor's say that people in coma's can hear what is going on around them, and I for one am a believer in that. All I can say, is don't ever give up.
Sincerely,
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Julie
Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Posted: September 18, 2007 |
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