Brave Hanwell Schoolgirl's Health Battle

Isabella Holloway was in coma for 10 days after contracting Encephalitis

The family of nine-year-old girl from Hanwell are adding their support to a global campaign highlighting a devastating brain condition.

Isabella Holloway, was described as a “bubbly and lively” young girl before she was affected by encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, in October last year.

Now her mum wants other parents to be aware of the little-known condition ahead of World Encephalitis Day on Thursday, February 22.

“Isabella went from a bubbly and lively young girl to suddenly complaining of headaches and flu-like symptoms,” said mum Madalen Ercolano.

“When she initially fell ill, all she would do was sleep, drink water and go to the bathroom when she needed. She had no appetite. I was very worried.”

Isabella was rushed to her GP who thought she may have a winter bug but as her condition continued to worsen, her worried mum called for an ambulance.

Madalen said: “As the paramedics starting putting Isabella in the ambulance she suddenly started fitting which was very scary.

''We were taken to our local hospital who tried everything for Isabella before she was rushed to another hospital that dealt with intensive care for children.

“Isabella was in a coma for 10 days. Doctors carried out lots of tests and four days later she was diagnosed with encephalitis.  “I had never even heard of encephalitis. It was a shock to the system when they told us it what it was.”

Doctors were able to reduce the swelling of her brain but Isabella’s journey was just beginning as she had to begin rehabilitation for the acquired brain injury that she had been left with.

“She started to make progress bit by bit. Isabella would start to remember people she know such as school friends, teachers and family she missed.

“Her concentration span is not brilliant but that can be slowly worked on within time the doctors say and we are still getting used to the personality change from the old Isabella to the new Isabella which has some ups and downs.

“We have still got quite a few challenges ahead of us all.

She has quite a few appointments and check-ups with doctors. But Isabella started going back to school in January for a couple of hours a day which is a start.

“She loves being back at school with her friends and back into a routine and she is being very chatty all the time.

“One thing I have to admire Isabella is her determination to get better and stronger and pull through this.

“It has made us stronger as a family and determined to tell as many people as possibly about encephalitis and World Encephalitis Day.”

Around 500,000 children and adults are affected by encephalitis globally each year.

Led by The Encephalitis Society, the fifth annual World Encephalitis Day is asking people to wear something red to raise awareness of the condition.

The charity has also recruited members like Isabella and her family to take part in BrainWalk, their 2018 signature campaign, a virtual walk of 52 million steps around the world designed to raise global awareness of the condition, keep the brain and body healthy and reduce isolation and loneliness among those affected by the condition.

Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society, said: “One person every minute will be struck down by encephalitis in 2018, irrespective of their age, gender or the country in which they live.

“This devastating condition has a high death rate while those who survive can be left with an acquired brain injury resulting in epilepsy, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, problems with memory and personality.

“And yet statistics reveal that eight out of 10 people do not know what encephalitis is – a truly startling figure which we are striving to improve through campaigns such as BrainWalk and World Encephalitis Day on February 22.”

13 February 2018