Encephalopathy and Four Celebrity Journeys of Resilience


Published on January 24, 2023

Encephalopathy is a brain disorder that affects a person’s mental state and brain function.

Encephalopathy can have many different forms and they are categorized depending on the root cause of the disorder. Post-traumatic encephalopathy is a type of encephalopathy in which damage to the brain is caused by microtrauma.

Brain injuries are one reason top celebrities and NFL players have ended their careers at a young age. These brain injuries affect brain function. They result from a change in brain function or body modification that affects the brain. Although encephalopathy may be easily confused with encephalitis, they differ in that the latter is the brain itself which is usually swollen and inflamed. However, it is possible to triumph even after you have these conditions.

Chris Henry

Chris Henry was an American football wide receiver who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2009, Henry sustained head injuries when he fell out the back of a moving truck driven by his fiancée when they were involved in a domestic dispute. The autopsy revealed that Henry had developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy during his playing career due to repetitive hits to the head. Doctors revealed the condition only after the autopsy. Henry was still actively playing in the NFL when he was still alive. This clearly indicates that even with the condition, you can still achieve unmeasured success.

Justin Bieber

Justin is a Canadian singer who has played an influential role in modern popular music. He is globally recognized for his uniquely gifted talent in the music industry. Though a significant figure in the music industry, he confesses he once experienced a concussion. In 2012, he attended a Paris concert and walked into a solid glass during his performance. Though he managed to finish the show, the slam impacted his head and altered how the brain works. After the show, when he went backstage, he passed out and became unconscious for 15 seconds. Doctors later confirmed that he had suffered a mild concussion. Still, Justin finished his music tour and continues to thrive as a prolific musician.

Derek Amato

Derek Amato suffered a severe concussion when he dived into a shallow pool and had a head impact. It affected his brain function. At this time, he was just a “regular” man, but after the concussion, he discovered he could play piano perfectly. Although he experienced a sudden transformation, he says he still experiences severe headaches and sensitivity to light. Derek’s case is a total victory. Contrary to expectation, he experienced a total conversion and considered the headaches and loss of hearing a price tag for his gift.

Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford is a UK and US accomplished British actor, comedian, and singer who has received numerous accolades due to his outstanding performances. However, in 2005, things became a little different for Michael. He thought he collapsed because of the flu, but it later turned out to be something more serious. Doctors diagnosed him with the post-viral condition of myalgic encephalopathy. The condition impacted him negatively, as he caught himself relishing the physical challenges of acting to being hardly able to climb the stairs. After six years of recovery, he could return to the stage in more minor roles.

Encephalopathy diagnosis can be terrifying. You might begin to feel like it’s the end of things, but this is not the case. The above four stories indicate that it is possible to thrive even after such a diagnosis if treatment is done early.

Newsdesk Editor