Gilley the Giraffe...

who changed

Written by Nimmi Channa

Illustrated by Phil Lynch

Gilley the Giraffe...who changed

Published by The Encephalitis Society© Copyright 2013 Encephalitis Society

Designed by: Moving Media Marketing Ltd

Printed by: Team Impression Ltd

ISBN: 0-9552180-0-4 978-0-9552180-1-9

All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted by The Encephalitis Society and cannot

be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Encephalitis Society32 Castlegate Malton YO17 7DTTelephone: 01653 692583www.encephalitis.infoRegistered charity no. 1087843

PrefaceBeing the parent of a child recovering from Encephalitis can be a bewildering and lonely experience, although we believe that information and support either directly from The Encephalitis Society or from knowledgeable health professionals can help. Being the young sibling of that child, or indeed the child him or herself can be equally bewildering. Although the situation is improving we know that siblings can sometimes be the forgotten party in situations where concerned families were gather around the hospital bed of a sick child. However their need for straightforward answers to their questions is as real as their parents’.

“How can he look the same brother, yet act so differently?”“What has happened to me?”“Why has he started having seizures?”“When will we be a normal family again?”

This book, written by a mother for the siblings of her child recovering from Encephalitis says: “We don’t know why this had to happen, but as a family and with the support of informed professionals, we will face the future together”.

Encephalitis can affect people in many different ways, and not everyone will experience the exact problems depicted in the story however we trust that its simple message will go a long way to allaying the anxieties of children recovering from Encephalitis, their siblings and friends.

Dr Rob Forsyth, Paediatric Neurologist

Gilley felt ill,

his head hurt.

He felt hot then cold,

cold then hot.

He did not want to eat.

His neck hurt when he stretched.

The next thing...

everyone was staring at him...

Larry Lion did not know...

Zara Zebra did not know...

even Wise Owl the teacher did

not know...

What was wrong

with Gilley...

Dr Harry Hippo came to see him.

Put tubes in his mouth,

gave Gilley some medicine

and laid him in a dark room.

Milo Monkey fanned to keep

him cool.

Mummy and Daddy were worried.

How had Gilley got ill so suddenly?

Brother Garry and sister Gabby

tried to help with jobs and did

their share of cooking.

Gilley slept and slept.

S-l-o-w-l-y

Gilley woke up

but Gilley was different.

When Fluffy Duffy the chick jumped

on his back for a ride like he used

to, Gilley shook and shook.

Fluffy Duffy landed on the ground.

Gilley had had a seizure.

And Gilley was very tired...

...all the time.

He got cross and would bang

his head on a branch.

And lots of times

he would forget...

When Eddie Elephant asked him to tea...he forgot.

When Minty Monkey asked him to come and watch the jungle olympics...he forgot.

When Suzy Snake asked himto her birthday party...he forgot.

At school, sums were hard and

Wise Owl thought Gilley was lazy.

He was teased – silly Gilley.

Gilley hit his friends when he was

cross. Garry and Gabby said sorry.

Soon Gilley was on his own with

no friends.

One day Gilley sat down and cried.

He remembered what school was

like before – lots of friends and

sums were easy.

Mummy hugged him when she

saw that he had been crying.

Gilley said:

“I don’t remember things;

I am no good at sums;

I don’t have fun with friends;

I have seizures and fall down;

I don’t like chocolate ice

cream anymore...”

Dr Harry Hippo and Mummy and

Daddy sat down to talk to Gilley.

They explained he’d had Encephalitis.

It made his brain swell.

They explained he’d had Encephalitis.

It made his brain swell.

“No it means your brain got ill.”

“Does that mean my brain has popped?”

Gilley was puzzled.

Encephalitis makes different

things happen to different

people and animals.

Some have seizures;

Some get very tired;

Some forget things;

Some don’t like favourite

things anymore.

Mummy went to Wise Owl with a

note from Dr Harry Hippo.

Wise Owl told the other young

animals to treat Gilley with kindness

and help him if he felt tired.

Gilley’s classmates came up with

a motto:

“Be Brill 2 Kids Who’ve

Been Ill”

Homework and school work

became easier with a lot of help

for Gilley...and Garry and Gabby.

Mummy and Daddy bought

a special book to explain to

Gilley what had happened.

This was a new Gilley.

Mummy wrote lists to help him

remember and he rested when

told to!

When Bobby Bear asked him

to his birthday party Gilley

remembered because Mummy

had written it on his list!

And when he felt cross he would

sit under a tree and play with his

favourite cars till he felt better.

Gilley started to enjoy his new

life with his new friends...

And sums did not matter

so much...

He just did his best!

Remember Gilley’s Motto:

“Be Brill 2 Kids Who’ve

Been Ill”

The End

Encephalitis the illness

Nimmi Channa was inspired to write this book following an Encephalitis Society weekend away with her daughter. Both were moved by the courage shown by other families in circumstances where the illness can leave their child so changed after Encephalitis. Nimmi has had personal

experience as her son had the illness when he was 15. This book is for Nikheel and for all the children who have had an acquired brain injury who need the care and kindness they deserve from every part of society, especially the education sector... and other children. Nimmi is a Chartered Accountant who enjoys writing and this is her first children’s book.

About the author

The Encephalitis Society

About the illustrator

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain usually caused by infection or by our autoimmune system erroneously attacking the brain. Encephalitis is indiscriminate showing no respect for age, sex, nationality or culture and we estimate around 4000 new cases every year within the UK. Mortality is high (10-30%) even with treatment.

The illness often begins with a “flu-like” illness or with headache. Symptoms indicating that this is a more serious illness follow later and typically include “a lowering in the level of consciousness”. Diagnosis of Encephalitis is made where there is evidence of inflammation. The range of possible symptoms and their rate of development vary, and are not just found in Encephalitis, so making the diagnosis can be difficult.

With improvements in drug therapy and intensive care treatments more people are surviving than in the past. This means that many people are left with an acquired brain injury, the degree and severity of which will vary. People may experience cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioral and social problems as a result of Encephalitis. The brain injury that follows is most often a hidden disability, which means people’s needs are often not met or recognised.

OUR VISION To live in a world where Encephalitis is as rare as it possibly can be, given its eradication is unlikely; and that those affected, as well as their families, have access to early diagnosis, excellent management of their condition, timely access to rehabilitation and other forms of social support. OUR AIM To improve the quality of life of all people affected directly and indirectly by Encephalitis by: OUR OBJECTIVES

To support adults and children affected by Encephalitis, their families and carers by providing advice •and information and working at a national and international level to improve services.

To produce evidence-based, quality information on all aspects of the condition in printed, electronic, •video and audio formats.

To raise awareness about the condition and its subsequent problems among relevant professionals, •statutory agencies and the general public.

To conduct research and work in partnership with other researchers and their establishments•

In 2005, Phil Lynch received a degree in Illustration from The University of Wolver-hampton specialising in Children’s Books. This is Phil’s first commission in this

area. Phil’s other work includes murals, themed bedrooms, promotional material, and album covers.

The Encephalitis SocietySupport, Awareness & Research for Inflammation of the Brain