In the hot, sultry summer of l960, I had the misfortune to acquire encephilitis. This is a brain virus, transmitted by mosquitoes. I have heard the mortality rate is 45 percent in humans. As you know horses also can get it and their mortality rate is 90 percent.There are many humans left with brain damage from encephilitis.I was eight years old when I became sick. I loved animals and if one came to our house, it was fed and given a lot of love. A chicken appeared under the garage one day. It looked sick, I petted the chicken. The chicken died, not because of my petting the chicken! In a day or so,I began to feel bad. I remember leaning over a chair and telling my mother that my head felt like someone had split it with an ax. We did not go to the doctor, except for annual vaccinations. My mother had to find a pediatrician in our area. There were not many practicing in l960.
I remember Dr. Smith was so caring towards me on the exam table. He looked into my eyes , asked me questions and then took me in his arms and carried me to the hospital, down the street. He felt it would be too much time and trouble to get me into a car. I remember two large men, holding me as they did the spinal tap. I was put into quarrantine. I was never an assertive child. My parents were told, there was only a crib available for me, due to shortage of hospital beds. I quickly let them know, even that sick, that I would not be put into a crib, I was no baby!!!I was in the hospital for eight days. The expense was so high that I had to come home early. I over heard the doctor tell my parents, she may have to learn to walk again and have nerve and speech problems. I came home and was treated no differently.
The new school year began and I was in the fourth grade. I have had some problems such as bright lights and the sun bothered me, noise startles me, and math and algebra were very hard to comprehend. I made good grades but took only general courses in school. I was lacking selfconfidence and insecure. I have experienced depression.
I asked my father , why did I live? He said that the christian community was praying and it was a miracle.
I have since been diagnosed with dystonia, and chronic fatigue immune dysfunction and fibromyalgia.
I have a good outlook due to my faith in God and Jesus. I am in a lot of pain, but I try to have compassion for others and reach out to help someone.
I do not have a lot of family support nor any friends anymore. I find as you do, that when you can not do for others, they drift away. I seemed to attract those type of people, perhaps because I was a giver. I do care about all of you. Thanks for letting me share my story.
Email Sheri
