Meningitis in your words

Sharing stories to save lives worldwide

Storytelling is powerful, bringing experiences into focus and forging connections like nothing else. That is why the telling and reading of an individual, real experience of meningitis can spread awareness, foster understanding, and inspire and empower others. Through words, each account offers hope, comfort, and, above all, saves lives. Whether you carry the physical and emotional scars of meningitis or are grappling with the aftermath, your testimony can ignite action, understanding and strength in others across the world.

Meningitis in your words

2,030 voices for 2030

Stories of meningitis. For you, by you. Submit your story
11 last month Our goal

796 stories

2030

Your latest stories - in your words.

As we head towards 2030, people are adding their stories every day. So, whether you want to motivate and inspire others or want to read people’s experiences of meningitis and sepsis, you’ll find a story that resonates and reminds you that you are never alone.

Kylian Ernesto Moya's full story
  • USA
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Baby 0-1
Kylian Ernesto Moya's story On Monday, November 13, My son that was only ten and a half  months old at that time, was perfe...
Onaiza Fice's full story
  • Unknown meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Baby 0-1
Onaiza Fice's story In 1999 my husband Jonathan and I got married, and in 2000 we were delighted at the news that I was ...
MRF Ambassador

All stories

kay Taylor's full story
  • UK
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Young child 3-5
kay Taylor's story It was a Saturday night in September and my partner Graham and I were enjoying a takeaway meal when ...
MRF Ambassador
Maureen Ellson's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal
  • Toddler 1-3
Maureen Ellson's story Thursday 14th February 2002, St Valentine's Day, we were all well at home, my husband James, son...
MRF Ambassador
Kylian Ernesto Moya's full story
  • USA
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Baby 0-1
Kylian Ernesto Moya's story On Monday, November 13, My son that was only ten and a half  months old at that time, was perfe...
Onaiza Fice's full story
  • Unknown meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Baby 0-1
Onaiza Fice's story In 1999 my husband Jonathan and I got married, and in 2000 we were delighted at the news that I was ...
MRF Ambassador
Martin Yaxley's full story
  • UK
  • Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
  • Adult 25-59
Martin Yaxley's story At a very young age I was hospitalised due to having E.Co...
MRF Ambassador
Omar Raafat Puente's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal
  • Adult 25-59
Omar Raafat Puente's story On the 8th of June 2022 I was diagnosed with meningococcal (Cronic Media Meningitis)...
Naomi Aylott's full story
  • UK
  • Viral
  • Adult 25-59
Naomi Aylott's story In July last year, at the age of 45, I fell spectacularly ill with Viral Meningitis following a tick...
Lois Wilterdink's full story
  • USA
  • Unknown meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
Lois Wilterdink's story I was born in August 1959 Shortly after I was Diagnosed with Brain Meninngitis Not sure what type bu...
Lesley Marshall's full story
  • UK
  • Viral
  • Adult 25-59
Lesley Marshall's story In 2021 I was admitted to hospital after seeing four different  GPs over a period of four days,...
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Make a difference. Share your story.

Survivors, partners, parents, carers, friends, heath workers – everyone has a story to tell. Every story is unique, personal and has something to offer. Whether it’s compassion, encouragement, optimism or despair, by sharing your story you will be helping others who are suffering or have suffered from meningitis and sepsis, letting them know that they are never alone.

Journeys of hope

Even in the darkest of moments, there is hope. People who have overcome meningitis share their inspiring stories of recovery and optimism for the future. View all
Scott Stillman's full story
  • USA
  • Unknown meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type, Viral
  • Adult 25-59
Scott Stillman's story In August 2021, our daughter Lucy returned to St Lawrence University in upstate NY for her second ye...
Seema Jaswal's full story
  • UK
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Teenager
Seema Jaswal's story TV presenter Seema Jaswal contracted meningitis at the age of 16, while she was studying for her A-L...
Kirsty 's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal
  • Adult 25-59
Kirsty 's story

Stories of strength

Tales of courage, determination and resilience, and how the human spirit can conquer even the hardest of challenges brought by meningitis. View all
Monica's full story
  • Europe
  • Unknown meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Baby 0-1
Monica's story My name is Monica from Norway. B...
Errol Kendall's full story
  • Australia
  • Other bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Baby 0-1
Errol Kendall's story I was born in the early fifties, my parents in their 30s and I was their 3rd child and their first b...
Luke adams's full story
  • UK
  • Group B meningococcal (MenB), Other bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Teenager
Luke adams's story It was Easter Friday . M...

Tales of tenacity

Living with and through meningitis is a battle in all sorts of unimaginable ways. Here, people share their tales of overcoming hurdles and winning even the smallest of battles. View all
Dianora 's full story
  • Group B meningococcal (MenB)
  • Young Adult 20-25
Dianora 's story
Irene Lopez's full story
  • Bacterial meningitis
Irene Lopez's story On Sept 14th in 2012, I was 29 years old.Th...
CoMO Member
Cheryl Bernadine Repko's full story
  • USA
  • Viral
  • 60+
Cheryl Bernadine Repko's story In 1985 i was a happy, single lawyer in washington, d...

Circles of support

Coping with meningitis is often a team effort. Read the experiences of families and friends who have supported their loved ones through their battle with meningitis. View all
Jay Aston and Josie Colquhoun's full story
  • UK
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Teenager
Jay Aston and Josie Colquhoun's story Bucks Fizz singer, Jay Aston, immediately recognised t...
Emily 's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal
  • Young Adult 20-25
Emily 's story

Healthcare heroes

Stories that celebrate the compassion and commitment of healthcare professionals, and the vital role they play in treating and supporting people with meningitis. View all
Hayley Tamaddon's full story
  • UK
  • Viral
  • Adult 25-59
Hayley Tamaddon's story Actress, Hayley Tamaddon, famous for her roles in Emmerdale and Coronation Street, contracted mening...
Erin Lamond 's full story
  • UK
  • Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
Erin Lamond 's story My daughter contracted ecoli meningitis at 10 days old...
Simone Shoffman's full story
  • UK
  • Viral
  • Toddler 1-3
Simone Shoffman's story Social media influencer Simone, also known Si Si, Shoffm...

Beyond meningitis

Many people don’t want to be defined by their illness. Here, they share their stories of personal growth, pursuing their passions and fulfilling their ambitions. View all
Aaron Phipps MBE's full story
  • Other bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Teenager
Aaron Phipps MBE's story Gold medal-winning Paralympian, Aaron Phipps MBE, had to have both legs ampu...
Leo 's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal
  • Baby 0-1
Leo 's story