For some people, life has been shattered and that’s because they’ve contracted encephalitis.

Reuben was 2 when he was diagnosed with encephalitis. Mum Laura said “We thought Reuben just had a bug but he kept getting worse. Eventually he was put on life support & transferred to a children’s hospital. We were so worried – it’s every parent’s worst nightmare”.

Reuben contracted encephalitis & his body swelled so much he had to have a colostomy and then developed kidney failure. After a terrifying few weeks he began to recover but had to learn everything again. Now he is a bright and energetic 6-year old, though he still struggles at times. 

Laura said: “That first Christmas was a blur. Reuben was so poorly – the Christmas that we dreamed of was gone. As Reuben got better we discovered The Encephalitis Society and they helped us then and have been helping us for the last 4 years.”

Laura added “They were there for us during our nightmare and I want to help them too.”