Life after a brain injury

Encephalitis and meningitis caused Emily severe brain injury that left her completely dependent upon carers.

“Aged 17 I had achieved 13 GCSEs, was studying for A levels and hopeful of a University place. I woke up one morning unable to see, by the afternoon I was on a life support machine. Encephalitis and meningitis caused a severe brain injury that left me unable to speak or walk and completely dependent upon carers.

I was lucky enough to go to the Brain Injury centre, where specialist teams helped me to re-learn lost skills where possible, and to develop strategies to compensate for irrecoverable ones. I also resumed my education at the Centre, I took a geography A level and am going to Chichester College, where I will live independently on campus. I have my life back on track again.”