On June 20 & 21 I will be walking 43 miles from Hampton Court Palace to Woolwich, crossing the River Thames over each of the 27 bridges and 2 foot tunnels in London. I am doing this to help raise awareness of Encephalitis and to raise funds for Encephalitis International.

Following a seizure in 2017 I was hospitalised and diagnosed with viral Meningoencephalitis (Meningitis + Encephalitis). Encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, is a condition that doesn't have the visibility it deserves; it is estimated that 78% of people globally do not know what encephalitis is. This is despite the fact a person is diagnosed with the condition every minute, over 500,000 people every year.

Encephalitis can be caused by infection (viruses, bacteria, fungi & parasites) or by autoimmune diseases; it can affect children and adults alike, with no respect for gender or ethnicity. It is an acute and serious condition with high mortality rates and survivors may be left with significant long-term symptoms and an Acquired Brain Injury.

In my case I contracted Meningoencephalitis from the HSV1 virus, the form of the Herpes Simplex virus more commonly associated with Cold Sores. While Cold Sores are the most common type of outbreak, HSV1 can spread via the central nervous system and lead to many serious conditions, including encephalitis. In my case not only did it result in Meningoencephalitis but also a condition called Rhabdomyolysis, which causes muscle breakdown.

In many parts of the world HSV1 Encephalitis (HSE) is the most common form and in some ways this proved lucky for me as it is often the first type tested for. Given that encephalitis is effectively a symptom it is necessary to accurately diagnose the cause in order to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Thanks to the swift response of the medical professionals I saw, I was diagnosed and placed on anti-viral treatment (Acyclovir) in less than 24 hours. That was so important to my recovery. HSV1 Encephalitis has one of the highest mortality rates, 70-80%, but Acyclovir can reduce that to around 1 in 3.

While I was in hospital for over 3 weeks I was very lucky during the acute phase, in part due to the quick diagnosis. Compared to many survivors I have also been relatively lucky in the longer term and I have been able to resume my career. However, as is common with brain injuries I have significant long-term chronic issues that require active management. In particular, I have significant ongoing issues with heightened sensory sensitivity and fatigue. In my case the neuro-fatigue that is common with brain injuries is heightened due to the nature of the seizure I suffered in 2017, it damaged my Hippocampus which plays a central role in processing information. I can therefore get tied and fatigued quickly and this means I've had to totally change how I work to actively manage the situation. Furthermore, the damage caused by the Rhabdomyolysis means that I am also susceptible to physical fatigue issues. Illustrating the long-term nature of brain injuries, in March of this year, 7 years on from my hospitalisation, I was diagnosed as having Epilepsy following another seizure.

Encephalitis International are a UK based charity dedicated to raising awareness about encephalitis and supporting those affected by the condition. They were invaluable to myself and my family, especially during the early part of my hospitalisation, in helping provide us with information. They also provide valuable funding and support for ongoing research into this devastating condition. Your support of my trek along the Thames will help support their work.

You can find more information about Encephalitis International and encephalitis at; https://www.encephalitis.info/