Meningitis in your words

Edward Bright's story

  • Location: England
  • Categories: Meningococcal
  • Age: Child 6-12
  • Relationship: Child
  • Outcome: Recovery with after effects
  • After effects: Amputations
Edward Bright
February 2001, and William aged 13 months is in HDU with meningococcal septicaemia. He is very lucky and is discharged six days later with no after effects. 
 

Move forward nearly six years to the day and Edward (William's identical twin) wakes up in the night feeling quite poorly. He wakes his big brother (18 year old Adam) who sits with him a while and soothes him. 

The next morning I went into Edward and he said he had been sick and his feet hurt. Having already experienced meningitis I asked Edward to put his chin on his chest and when I asked him if that hurt he said no. 

I then asked him to look through the window and again asked if that hurt his eyes, he said no. I assumed it was just a bug. 

One hour or so later Edward has blotches mixed with a purplish rash; I called the emergency ambulance who arrived within ten or so minutes and immediately administered antibiotics and got him off to the local hospital. 

"Edward deteriorated over the afternoon and at midnight he was ventilated and transferred to Glenfield",- says his mother.

After 48 hours he was transferred to Leicester Royal Infirmary for bilateral leg amputations. 

He remained ventilated for two weeks and was then transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where he had bilateral forearm amputations. 

Edward is now two years post-op and he is a very lively, active nine-year-old who is an inspiration to all who meet him.

Clare Bright

Detailed information about the after effects of meningitis

Vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions in history, saving billions of lives since the first vaccine was produced in 1798. So how exactly do they work?
Stories that inspire us to create a world free from the diseases.

Whether you are living with the after effects of the diseases or coping with the death of a loved one, we are here for you.

Provide a lifeline for those in need
Provide a lifeline for those in need
£6/€7.20/$8 pays for a 30 minute call from a trained support officer.

They listen to the issues faced by someone struggling with the impact of meningitis, and provide detailed information and support.
Membership and support

The MRF Membership and Support team are here for you for any questions you might have about meningitis and septicaemia and their effects on you, or your family and friends.

Tel: Helpline UK 080 8800 3344 Ireland 1800 41 33 44