THE father of a Cwmbran mum who was left paralysed and unable to speak by a rare brain condition has spoken out, after their daughter returned home after almost two years in care.

After falling ill in January 2015, Lisa Wilcox, 33, was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (Adem), a rare inflammatory brain and spinal cord condition.

The condition — which attacks the protective layer covering nerve fibres — usually affects children with one study putting prevalence at just eight cases per one million population.

Since the diagnosis, friends and the community have rallied to support Lisa, from a fundraising drive by cousin Natasha Maddison-Wilcox and Lucy Harrison to a special Christmas visit in 2015.

Although Ms Wilcox still receives outpatient treatment, dad Anthony Wilcox,55, has spoken of their relief after Bron Afon Housing Association provided a new home catering to her needs.

The Cwmbran mum— who uses a wheelchair and needs regular care — now lives at the property in Tydies, Coed Eva with Anthony, her mum Ceri and 11-year-old son Jack.

Ahead of the two year anniversary of her diagnosis, Mr Wilcox spoke about the significance of the relocation, with the house “becoming a home” in November last year in time for Christmas.

Reflecting on the move he said: “It was massive for us. We had lived in the old address for 36 years and it was a big upheaval for everyone. But she is home now and that is the main thing.

“Her son Jack is happy and really chuffed to be home with her. He jumps into bed with her and gives her a cuddle and its heart breaking to see.

“Lisa is seeing slight improvements. At Christmas she even had a small drink of wine with us.”

He added: “It has been hard and life changing for all of us, especially Lisa. We just live day to day and pray things will get easier.

“I would like to give a massive thanks to everyone who has raised money for her — around £8,000 over a two year period.

“I really can’t thank everyone individually as over the last two years people have been so helpful, even just strangers with kind words.

“For every bad apple there are 250,000 good people and if there is anything I have learned from this, it’s how many nice people there are.”

A Bron Afon Housing Association spokesman said: “We are so pleased that Lisa is back home with her family after such a long time in hospital.

“During 2016 we worked closely with Lisa’s family to find a home that would be suitable for them and provide the necessary adaptations to assist her discharge from hospital.

“It’s wonderful that they are back together and we hope they had a lovely Christmas in their new home.”