SHE was in a coma for weeks and suffered brain damage.

But brave Liz Sykes survived and vowed to fight back.

And now the Almondbury woman, diagnosed with a rare brain disease, has been honoured.

Liz has defied all the odds to win Most Determined Learner in the Kirklees Community Adult Learning Awards

Her remarkable story began three years ago as she was driving the familiar short route to work in Golcar from her home at the time in Linthwaite.

Suddenly her life was turned upside down when she became totally disorientated.

She did not know where she was or how to get to work. Liz had to ring her boss and he came out and rescued her.

The doctor put it down to stress and told Liz to rest at home for a few days.

A week later the 23-year-old was struck down by a series of violent and prolonged seizures.

Her partner Shelton rushed her to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and she spent many days there while doctors tried to diagnose her illness.

Meanwhile the fits became more frequent and more violent. In a delirious state she began throwing furniture around the ward and trying to smash windows.

For her own and others’ safety, Liz was strapped to a chair with restraints and a security guard was assigned to watch over her.

Doctors then took the drastic step of inducing Liz into a three-week coma to try and save her life.

She was taken by ambulance to Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax, accompanied by a security guard.

Liz was eventually diagnosed with encephalitis, which is rarely seen in this country. The illness causes inflammation of the brain and is caused by a virus, infection or mosquito bite.

When Liz awoke from the coma, her memory had been totally wiped. She could no longer do the simplest of tasks – even walking and talking had to be relearned.

She spent 11 months in special centres in Leeds and York alongside other victims of brain damage, including serving police officers and soldiers from Afghanistan.

“I have no recollection of that time in the Infirmary,” said Liz. “After the move to the York rehab centre, it still took me about six weeks to realise I was somewhere else.

“I used to hide in a cupboard a lot.

“I have had to start my life again in every way. We still don’t know to this day what caused it, but until it happens to you, you never realise what it entails.”

Liz still suffers from some short-term memory loss and lacks confidence in certain areas. But last year she had battled her way back to health sufficiently to take the brave step of enrolling for a first aid course at Almondbury Children’s Centre.

Since then she has taken a number of courses at the centre. When she was struck down with encephalitis, she had been taking social worker qualifications in her spare time.

Liz hopes that with time and a lot of memory work on her part, she may one day realise her dream of becoming a social worker.

She was nominated for the Kirklees learning award by trainer Helen Ashcroft.

She said: “She is champion. As soon as Liz walked through the door of the centre you could tell she was nervous, but so determined.

“It is this determination which impresses people. Liz is so positive, she helps and supports other people all the time.

“She has battled through everything with such determination. She is an inspiration to us all and we are so proud of her.”

Liz is now off all medication. Last year she gave birth to daughter Jasmine and she is optimistic for the future.

“I still get stressed by things like bills, which I used to deal with all the time before. But I have my health and my family, Shelton has been brilliant. Life is just so precious. I would still like to become a social worker, I’ll get there one day.”