ENCEPHALITIS CASES

Encephalitis Cases

Jack

What a Difference A Year Makes! One year ago today, we were plunged into every parent's worst nightmare when Jack became critically ill with Encephalitis. When he left the hospital in late May, Jack was Blind and had Cerebral Palsy like jerks and twitches in both arms. His body control was that of a newborn baby. He was seizing 4-6 times a day. We were given no promises. It is only recently that his doctors and therapists have fully communicated just how grim his future looked.

Well, here we are, a year later and Jack is thriving! Jack no longer takes any medication. He is crawling, pulling himself up to standing and has even taken a couple of steps. There are no signs of Cerebral Palsy. His PT indicates that all aspects of his gross motor development is normal. His tone is fine and he is picking up all skills without compensating in any way.

Jack's fine motor skills are somewhat behind. He had difficult transitioning to lumpy tactile food, but will now eat anything and everything. He doesn't use his little fingers age appropriately but the OT feels he will continue to develop those skills with regular playtime activities. Jack hates OT. He doesn't like sitting still so our OT has to be quite creative.

His vision has improved greatly. Jack is seen by two separate Vision Specialists (one through Blind Babies Foundation, the other through the Insights Program with the School District) Both Vision Specialists (and his Opthamologist) are very optimistic that he will read, write and even drive a car someday! He is at high risk for learning disabilities as a result of potential visual processing issues, but you would never know it by looking and playing with him. Recently, his eyes have started to cross intermittently. I am guessing that Jack will have patches and/or glasses in the near future.

Jack will most likely need Speech Therapy, but we have high hopes that it will just provide a "kick start" and that he will respond as well in this area as the rest of the areas.

Jack is developmentally that of a 12 month old. He has managed to stay consistently 5 months behind in all aspects of his development throughout his recovery. Since he was 5 months when he got ill, I think that speaks volumes. He is happy, healthy and adorable. Jack is also very social, babbles all the time, and most definitely has opinions! What more could we ask for? It really is a miracle!

Jack recently had an EEG and a MRI. The EEG is "slow" but shows no seizure activity. They can make no definitive diagnosis from that. His MRI shows no more damage, but the original injury is still apparent. He has more white matter than a child his age should. That is consistent with the fact that he is delayed. His Neurologist has stressed that the most important thing, however, is that he is developing!

Please don't ever give up on your loved ones. I believe that Therapy Works! If you aren't happy with your therapists, find a new one. We treasure all four of our therapists. They are part of our extended family. Jack is lucky to have them all in his life.

This has been an incredible, life altering event. They say "if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger." That certainly holds true for my husband, Jack and I. This has been a horrendous journey, but there is lots of hope. We now know who our friends are (and aren't in some cases!). Our life is very focused and has purpose.

Thanks for Listening,

Tracey
California, U.S.A.

Posted: July 3, 2000

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