Renthia Kaimbi
Francis Platt, who spent about four years bedridden after being diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis, has regained her independence and is now engaged to be married.
Diagnosed with the rare illness in January 2022 aged 21, Platt experienced difficulties with her speech, mobility and cognitive abilities, leaving her dependent on others for basic daily activities.
Her recovery, she told the Windhoek Observer, has given her a “second chance” at life.
As she prepares to marry, Platt said finding love has given new meaning to that second chance, allowing her to look towards a future she once could not imagine.
For her, she said, the engagement is more than the beginning of a journey towards marriage; it is a reminder of how far she has come after years of battling an illness that left her unable to walk, communicate properly or live independently.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be able to fall in love, plan my future, and prepare for marriage after everything I’ve been through,” she said.
She told the Windhoek Observer that the illness robbed her of many abilities she had previously taken for granted, adding that she struggled with her speech, mobility and cognitive functions.
“There was a time when I couldn’t walk or communicate properly and needed help with even the simplest things,” she said.
Her condition became so severe that she spent months in hospital, including time in intensive care.
One of the most frightening periods, she added, came when she began experiencing severe seizures, which eventually resulted in doctors placing her in an induced coma in an attempt to bring them under control.
“There were moments when we didn’t know what was going to happen. It was frightening, but I kept fighting,” she recalled.
Platt said her recovery was neither immediate nor straightforward, adding that it involved extensive medical treatment and a long rehabilitation process.
Among the treatments she received was plasmapheresis, while doctors and nurses worked to stabilise her condition and address the effects of the illness.
She said the medical team played an important role in her recovery, but added that the support of her family, loved ones and her faith was equally significant.
“My recovery was a combination of medical care and the dedication of the doctors and nurses, but my family and loved ones played such an important role. My faith kept me going when things became difficult,” she said.
For Platt, returning to an independent life meant learning to do things that had once come naturally.
She told the Windhoek Observer that recovery required patience, determination and the willingness to celebrate even the smallest achievements.
“Things that used to be so easy suddenly became difficult. But every little achievement reminded me that I was moving forward,” she said.
She added that relearning how to walk, communicate and eventually live independently took time, and that her return to everyday life was a gradual process rather than an overnight transformation.
Today, Platt looks at her life differently.
She describes her recovery as an experience that has changed the way she views ordinary moments and future possibilities.
“I don’t take anything for granted anymore,” she said, adding that being able to live independently, make plans and look towards the future means more to her than she could have imagined before her illness.
That future now includes marriage.
For Platt, the engagement is not simply another personal milestone, but a reflection of how dramatically her life has changed since the darkest days of her illness.
After years spent fighting to regain her health and independence, she is now able to think about love, marriage and building a life with her partner.
She said the people who stood by her throughout her illness remain an important part of her journey.
“My family, loved ones, medical team and everyone who supported me played a huge role in my recovery. I will always be grateful to them,” she said.
Platt is now using her experience to raise awareness about Autoimmune Encephalitis and the impact the illness can have on patients and their families.
She told the Windhoek Observer that she hopes her story can encourage others facing serious illnesses not to give up, adding that recovery can be a long and difficult process but that hope can remain even during the darkest moments.
“My story is not just about illness. It is about survival, strength, faith, love, and getting a second chance,” she said.
“There were moments when I didn’t know what my future would look like. Today, I am here. I’m living, I’m loving, I’m planning my wedding, and I’m looking forward to my future.”
While still recovering, Platt said she is happy to be alive and living a normal life.
