Encephalitis Medical Bills and Recovery

Aloha, my name is Bailee and I am organizing this for one of my dearest friends Jarrod!

In May of 2022 he was sent to the hospital and diagnosed with a rare condition called Viral Encephalitis + Meningitis (Brain Inflammation/infection due to the Varicella Zoster Virus) for over 3 weeks. This infection caused him to be Schizophrenic, have hallucinations and be in psychosis, which are all very traumatic mental health experiences. He actually almost died. He was put on an IV for 3 weeks and sent home with many residual problems such as a Traumatic Brain Injury due to the infection. His recovery time is set to be over a year and he is unable to work and function as he normally would. He is considered mentally disabled right now, and suffers from extreme chronic fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, muscle pain and is still recovering from his schizophrenic episode. His medical bills, treatment, therapy and medications for recovery have all started to pile up and I am hoping to help relieve him of some of this burden! Jarrod just wants to get back to doing Hair and making his friends, clients and community feel beautiful again, but he knows he has a long road of recovery ahead of him.

Since May he has seen over 20 Doctors, and is still searching for one to help him fully recover. Since he is unable to work many of his basic expenses are also beginning to pile up as well.

Also hoping to raise awareness of this deadly brain disease that can happen to anyone! Encephalitis & Meningitis can be caused by any virus that enters your central nervous system and infects your spinal cord and brain (even Covid-19 can cause encephalitis). Many survivors are left with major brain damage, suffer from seizures and have to learn to walk, talk and do everything basic that most people don’t think twice about.

Watch “Brain on fire” on Netflix or read the book to get an idea what Encephalitis can do to someone and their life!

Any donation helps,

Mahalo!

Jarrod’s Venmo is: @jarrodks