Frank and I are doing the 53rd Original Mountain Marathon, a 2-day mountain marathon in the Lake district.  It's tough and we're well out of our comfort Zone.  Why? To do something positive for a good cause. 

Some of you will know that our daughter Abi, has been extremely unwell for 3 years, battling severe psychosis that suddenly started n 2019.

Before this she was a bright teenager who loved life to the full.  She tackled challenges head on, swam the English Channel that summer as part of a relay team, she loved to cook and cycle; enjoyed yoga, travelling and listening to music.   Her life had been abruptly halted.  

Abi has been hospitalised twice.  Initially in a psychiatry ward
where she was medicated with many different anti-psychotic medications to no avail.   As a parent, it was heartbreaking and frightening to see our beautiful girl deteriorate before our eyes.   

No-one understood why she wasn't responding to the treatment.  No-one was able to help her.  No-one was able to give us any answers.

We were then blessed to meet the brilliant Dr Singh.  She has
tirelessly battled and researched Abi's symptoms, recommending tests and closely monitoring her behaviour.  Before identifying that she was suffering from a little-known condition called, Autoimmune Encephalitis. 

This condition is relatively unknown in the UK and the causes are multiple.  Autoimmune encephalitis is where the body's immune system attacks the brain, causing inflammation. The immune system produces substances called antibodies that mistakenly attack brain cells. 

We feel that we need to get awareness out there as our belief is that too many young people are left in psychiatric wards, but often the reason for the acute onset of psychiatric symptoms is due to encephalitis. If this is diagnosed sooner, the pain and sadness of watching your loved ones go through this nightmare could be saved.

As a family, we have witnessed the heart-wrenching hold that this disease has had on her.  From impaired memory, her cognitive function decline to seizures, panic attacks, nightmares, large and deep bouts of anxiety and paranoia.  She's had to withdraw from this world - us too, as we tried to keep her safe from herself, fed, clothed, watered and medicated whilst we continued to hunt globally for answers and a cure. 

We have had the worst 3 years of our lives - the good news is that we are on the right course of action.  It is a long and winding road.  She is  to have anti-biotic treatment for the next 2 years to treat the infections and reduce brain inflammation.  We have already seen some glimmers of improvement - which fills us with hope and joy that soon our Abi will be back swimming, cooking and enjoying life once more. 

No young person or parent should have to endure what we've all been through - so it's important that we get this message out there. Please give what you can.  Every penny will help.

Thanks for taking the time to visit
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