Young dad's memory destroyed by brain inflammation, as friends rally round with charity walk between Sheffield and Doncaster hospitals

Friends of a young dad whose life has been shattered by a severe brain condition are walking 20 miles between Sheffield and Doncaster hospitals to raise funds for the Encephalitis Society.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Friends and family of Doncaster dad-of-two Carl Rice are digging deep to help after his life was transformed by the illness five years ago, to raise awareness of his rare condition and help others who suffer from it.

In 2016 Carl, 31, of Hatfield, suffered his first seizure and was soon after diagnosed with Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Symptoms of the condition are many but for Carl the most significant consequence is regular seizures and memory problems.

Carl Rice says his memory is now so bad he's had to stick labels around the house reminding him where everyday objects areCarl Rice says his memory is now so bad he's had to stick labels around the house reminding him where everyday objects are
Carl Rice says his memory is now so bad he's had to stick labels around the house reminding him where everyday objects are

Carl said; “It’s a seizure illness I’ve had for five years and I find it difficult to deal with. I can’t really do much with my life any more.

“Auto immune Encephalitis is basically a swelling on the brain and those who have it have regular seizures which are uncontrollable . I’m on quite a lot of medication to try and control it, roughly 30 tablets a day to control and see what’s happening.

“My life has completely changed. I can’t work, I have to have a personal assistant to be with me all the time. I can’t even go to the shops on my own as I can have a seizure at any time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have two young girls and they are having to deal with it and grow up with me like this. I’m still their dad but I can’t go anywhere with them. My memory is pretty much gone. I have to have labels all over the house to tell me where the knives and forks are.”

Carl and Della RiceCarl and Della Rice
Carl and Della Rice

Carl has received treatment from both Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and Doncaster Royal Infirmary along with support from the Encephalitis Society.

As a way of supporting Carl, and others who are going through the same thing, a group of people will be walking the 20 miles between the two hospitals. The aim is to raise money for the organisation who have supported Carl and his family by way of The Encephalitis Society as well as raise awareness of the condition.

“My sister and friends have really dug deep to help with this and get people involved,” said Carl.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“My wife Della has been dealing with everything for me. She’s an absolute star. She had to stop working to look after me and the girls.”

Carl joined the Encephalitis Society to be in contact with people who suffer the same illness.

Della said: “We are learning everything as we are going along and he has a rare case of it so we aren’t sure how it’s going.

"The hospitals are amazing. They always have been from him being in critical care in Doncaster to being transferred to Sheffield. They try an do everything they can. It just shows how good the NHS actually is. They have spent as much time as possible to look into these things for us. We have seen several different neurologists and they are all working together.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It’s the more the merrier on the walk so if anybody would like to join in, for the whole thing or just a section, it would be wonderful to have you involved.”

To support the walk visit here.

Related topics: