Mary Mack

Having experienced major loss and overwhelming grief at the age of 12, this author experienced mental anguish, confusion, lack of control, and sickness. Lacking the help and support required, especially when it was first needed, she became very sick with a viral infection. Her immune system was compromised, and it mistakenly began to attack her brain, which led to encephalitis and hospitalization for several weeks.

She was one of the lucky ones!

Some, but very few, people eventually make a full recovery from encephalitis, although this can be a long and frustrating process. Even after she recovered from this terrible disease, she experienced anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues in her teens. She did, however, begin to take control, going on to obtain advanced degrees to help troubled children; she knew that lack of intervention and support could lead to deadly consequences.