
25-Year-Old Left Permanently Brain Damaged by Rare One-in-a-Million Condition
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A once healthy and energetic young man, Martin Griffiths, 25, from Boston, Lincolnshire, has been left permanently brain damaged after a severe headache revealed a “one in a million” condition that nearly took his life, reported by the Sun. Martin, described by his father Jason, 47, as “absolutely healthy” and “full of energy,” was working for a drainage company when everything changed. Martin experienced what felt like being “hit round the back of the head” and was quickly rushed to the hospital.
Initially diagnosed with a stroke, Martin was later told he had a brain tumour and given only three to six months to live. However, a biopsy revealed no cancer. Instead, Martin was diagnosed with an “incredibly rare” form of brain inflammation, affecting less than one person in a million and typically seen in the elderly.
Undergoing a procedure to eradicate the inflammation, Martin was placed in an induced coma as his condition deteriorated. Faced with the grim prognosis, his family decided to switch off his life support. To their shock, Martin woke up a day later. Although in a vegetative state, he showed signs of awareness, engaging with his eyes, winking, and moving his lips to kiss his girlfriend, Jess Turner, 27, according to Wales Online.
Almost two years after the initial incident, Martin now resides in a care home with severe brain damage. Jason hopes to bring him home soon, prompting the family to launch a GoFundMe page to help modify their house for accessibility, raising over £2,000 so far. Jason explained, “This was very rapid, whatever was going on in Martin’s head took hold and it was almost like his brain was on fire.”
He continued, “What he has is incredibly rare, we were told the few cases there have been are generally in older people and they’re immediately put on to palliative care.” Martin, an outgoing individual, had been performing well before his health crisis. Jason added, “He is profoundly ashamed and deeply remorseful. He wants to say sorry and this won’t happen again.”
Dr. Manjeet Shehmar of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust stated, “CNS Vasculitis is an extremely rare condition, affecting fewer than one person in a million, and usually affects older patients.” The court heard that Martin had a history of alcoholism, admitting he had drunk half a bottle of whisky before the flight. Despite his previous contributions to the community and appearances on TV for DIY emergencies, his life took a tragic turn due to this rare condition.
Recorder Geoffrey Wells condemned Martin’s actions, stating, “This behavior was shocking. There is no excuse for being drunk when you go on an airplane… ‘Peer pressure?’ What nonsense!”. As Martin continues his recovery, the family remains hopeful for his future, emphasizing the need for support and accessibility to bring him home. Jason concluded, “I’m going to be constantly looking for something that clicks with him and as soon as I find something that makes him happy, I’ll just keep on doing it.”
Martin Griffiths’ story highlights the severe consequences of rare medical conditions and the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis. His family’s unwavering support underscores the resilience needed to navigate such life-altering challenges.