Once a vibrant Australian athlete, 22-year-old Tiana faced a sudden and perplexing health crisis that irrevocably altered her life’s trajectory, culminating in a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, a rare and debilitating condition.

Prior to the onset of her mysterious illness, Tiana led a dynamic life, excelling as a competitive athlete who proudly represented Australia in the 100m hurdles at the 2018 Youth Commonwealth Games, embodying peak physical health and dedication.

Her health ordeal began with an insidious “fiery and swollen” sensation in her head, accompanied by flu-like symptoms and extreme fatigue, which rapidly escalated into severe tonic seizures, prompting an urgent admission to the Intensive Care Unit.

During a critical 10-day period in the ICU, Tiana drifted in and out of consciousness, grappling with numerous seizures daily and experiencing temporary loss of speech and mobility, necessitating intensive rehabilitation to regain fundamental motor and communication skills.

The path to a definitive medical diagnosis was arduous, spanning two years of exhaustive tests and specialist consultations before Tiana’s neurologist confirmed her condition as autoimmune encephalitis, additionally revealing her unique challenge of drug resistance to conventional epilepsy medications.

A pivotal turning point in her treatment has been monthly IVIG infusions, which have demonstrably improved her condition; inspired by this life-changing therapy, Tiana now passionately champions the critical importance of plasma donation to support others battling similar rare diseases, despite facing significant financial burdens.

Throughout her challenging health journey, Tiana has drawn immense strength from her exceptionally supportive family and steadfast friends, whose constant care and emotional backing have been indispensable in navigating the complexities of chronic illness.

Now 24, Tiana has resiliently resumed working part-time as a dental nurse, actively incorporating stress management techniques into her daily routine after observing a correlation between heightened irritation and the frequency of her seizures, underscoring her proactive approach to managing this complex health challenge.