Ariana Pila

At the age of 16 i was diagnosed with Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis a rare virus which had seen approximately 3,000 people affected worldwide. In 2013 I lost all cognitive functionality and was hospitalized, I spent 15 months as an impatient at Royal Perth Hospital requiring a tracheostomy with 24/7 care and was clinically asleep for 5 years which i faced many challenges from worsening joint contractures and gradual physical deconditioning as my muscles began to waste away from disuse. I was then transferred to Marangaroo Brain Injury Unit where doctors said there was no hope of me recovering, basically they told my mother that what you see is what you get. But I proved them wrong with the help and love of my family.

Since I have woken up it has taken me the last 5 years of trying to decide what career path I could take due to missing out on my education from the age 16 - 21 which means through perseverance i have attained my level 3 Health & Wellbeing Certificate through NZMA in which I graduated 25 July 2024.