Click on your area to see case studies in the region.
If you would like to interview one of our case studies get in touch with our Comms Team:
Wales
Mary Evans - Cardiff Mary's daughter Andrea had Men B. She was nine weeks in hospital, 5 weeks in intensive care and suffered organ failure. As a result of the disease Andrea has had to have a kidney transplant and both legs amputated below the knee.
Andrea said: “Initially the effects of meningitis didn’t affect me too much, but it affected my family and friends more. I can’t imagine what they went through emotionally for those first couple of weeks. It’s strange because I had heard of meningitis, and had been vaccinated against it, so never realised that I would contract a different strain."
Joanna Ruiz - CardiffJoanna's daughter Ellie Mae had pneumococal meningitis and then Group B meningococcal disease 3 months later
Joanna says: "Luckily she had no long term effects, but she did have to take penicillin for 8 years!! The whole experience of Ellie having meningitis twice was awful and for about 6 years after I would take her to hospital for a simple headache or temperature as you don't expect your child to get it once and definitely not twice. "
Jeff Thomas - Ebbw Vale, Gwent
Jeff contracted viral meningitis in 1963.
Jeff says: "I had viral meningitis when I was 16 in 1962. I had a deathly high temperature of 103 degrees, an unbelievably agonizing headache where I felt like slamming my head into the nearest wall, and I spent 10 days spent in All-ty-rhyn hospital in Newport, Gwent. I am supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and to ensure every child is vaccinated against every type of meningitis."
Nadine Wills - Caldicot, Monmouthshire
Nadine's son Finlay had meningococcal septicaemia four years ago. Finlay was in Intensive Care for six weeks and suffered tissue damage and extensive scarring over his body. Finlay does not have any speech and has just been diagnosed with collapsed growth plates in his left leg. He has poor balance and co-ordination and will not be undergoing orthopaedic surgery until aged 18 years.
Nadine says: "Finlay was only 16 weeks old when he became ill. We are living with the after effects of meningitis every day. Finlay has been left with a number of medical problems as a result of the illness but we are very lucky that he is still with us, we came very close to losing him."
Scotland
Gemma Baxter – Inverkeithing, Fife
Gemma’s son Matthew contacted meningitis and septicaemia in July 2010 when he was 13 months old. He has been left with some speech problems but she feels they are incredibly lucky that he pulled through.
Read Gemma's story in full
Sandra Michie – Carnoustie, AngusSandra’s son David had meningitis as a baby and is now 21. He has made a great recovery and is now teaching sports in America.
Nicola Sinclair – West EdinburghNicola tragically lost her son Marc to bacterial meningitis in 2003. She feels that Marc would have wanted her to raise awareness of the petition for a MenB vaccine.
Roger and Joanna Shenfield – Kirkaldy, FifeJoanna's son David tragically died from the effects of meningitis in 1999 aged 18. Joanna says “’Any vaccine that could prevent others going through my experience, or being left with a child with life-long after effects needs to be implemented as soon as possible”
Read Joanna's story in fullPamela Lowrie – Dollar, ClackmannanshirePamela’s son Issac contracted meningitis and septicaemia in 2001 when Issac was 11 months old and is now recovered. Pamela and Issac are lobbying their MP and promoting the campaign.
Northern Ireland
Denise Bustany - Antrim
Denise’s daughter died from meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in April 2010 aged 2 years and 8 months.
North East England: Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley
Lesley Newman - Morpeth, NorthumberlandLesley's two children had meningitis aged 3 months and 2 years in the 90s - her son and stepdaughter Amy. Her niece had also had meningitis aged 9 months in 2005. All recovered.
Lesley says:” Our 12 year old son, James contracted the disease at just three months old and very nearly lost his life. My husband’s daughter Amy, now 19 has also had Meningitis so anything that helps to prevent people contracting it is good news. I am supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and to ensure all children are vaccinated against every type of meningitis.”
Jill Graham - Bowburn, Durham
Jill's son Robbie Jones had meningococcal septicaemia age 2. Robbie lost both legs and fingertips. He has had prosthetic legs fitted.
Jill says: "My son Robbie contracted group B meningococcal septicaemia, at the age of 23 months. The doctor said it was one of the worst cases he had ever seen and as a result Robbie had to have both legs amputated and his fingertips have fallen off. We had heard about meningitis but had never seen the effects it can have. It has been our worst nightmare so we are supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and that every child is vaccinated against meningitis."
Pauline & Billy Brown - Gateshead
Pauline & Billy's daughter Natalie died aged 12 of meningitis. When Natalie got ill, Pauline took her to see a doctor who told Pauline she was being overprotective. The next day natalie was in hospital dying.
The couple say: “Our daughter Natalie died aged 12 in 2001 of meningitis. She felt ill so we took her to the doctors but they thought she had a virus. The next day she was in hospital, put into a coma and we then had to make the hard decision to turn off the life support machine. Results showed she had three strains of meningitis, one of which was Men B. It took 12 seconds for meningitis to take Natalie. One minute she was a child celebrating Christmas and acting like a teenager on New Year's Eve, three days later she was gone.
North West England: Cumbria, Lancashire, Great Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire
Sue Burke - St Helen's, Merseyside
Sue’s son Cieran had meningococcal aged 9 months. Cieran is profoundly deaf, has a cochlear implant and has little speech, slight cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Sue says: "Four doctors ignored me and also my sons symptoms. A mum is the best doctor a child will ever meet. In our case though we were left with devastating after effects. People need to listen."
Read Sue's story in fullPauline and Tony Bell - Egremont, CumbriaSaid Pauline's daughter Lisa died from meningitis when she was just 16.
Pauline says: "We want to do all we can to call for a vaccine nationwide and stop other families have to experience our heartbreak."
Christine Etheridge - Sale, Cheshire
Christine's son Ben had meningococcal septicaemia aged 3 in 2004.
Christine says: "My son Ben contracted meningitis in 2004 at the age of 3. He was critically ill in hospital for 8 weeks and spent four of those weeks in the intensive care unit and high dependency ward. Fortunately, over time, he recovered and is doing really well. He is now 10 but is still having ongoing treatment and operations on his legs due to the damage the illness caused. So many people still don’t know how quickly the disease takes hold and how a fast response is crucial, so anything I can do to promote awareness, especially the signs and symptoms, is really important to me."
Jennie Day - Charlton, Manchester
Jennie contracted pneumococcal meningitis when eight months pregnant.
Jennie says: "I was eight months pregnant when I went to the GP with a cough and earache. Two days later, I fell into a coma at home. I was rushed to A&E and regained full consciousness eight days later. I didn't know that I had already become a mum to a healthy baby girl. Our survival still feels like a miracle made possible by the NHS."
Caroline Holohan - Burnage, Manchester
Caroline's son Simon died aged 20 from meningitis. He was in the Army training to go to Ireland.
Caroline says: "I had only ever heard of this terrible disease through the media and thought it affected mainly children. Simon was 20 years old, so you can imagine the shock and trauma it brought to our family. I thought he could be made to get better but after three days on life support we had to take the horrendous decision to turn the machines off."
Read Caroline's story in full
Janet Watson - Accrington, Lancashire
Janet's son Matthew had Men B in 1996 age 11.
Janet says: "Matthew came home from playing tennis complaining of neck ache and he looked a funny colour so I took him to casualty where he was sick but they sent him home! During the night he was sick and delirious and on waking he had a rash so I took him to my doctors. At this point he could not walk and his limbs were covered in a red rash, but the doctor who examined him sent him home, the rash was spreading to the rest of his body and within 10 mins of returning home the doctor did a house call and called an ambulance informing me he thought it was meningitis. The next few hours were a living nightmare. Matthew deteriorated very quickly, he had an immediate lumber puncture and we were told that he may not survive the next 24hours. We were asked permission to administer drugs for meningitis before test results confirmed it as time was of the essence."
Sue and Emily Gudgeon - Ambleside, Cumbria
Sue says: "Emily was in her first year at Durham Uni when she contracted W135 meningitis. The week before she had been on a rag day to Edinburgh raising money for MRF and raising awareness too. When she felt unwell she remembered the symptoms on the card and called the out of hours GP. She was admitted to hospital the next morning and began treatment for meningitis. She was in Durham Hospital for 18 days then home for 2½ weeks before returning to Uni having made an almost full recovery. She was left with some arthritis."
Sofie Zermansky - Cheadle, Cheshire
Sofie's son Benjamin had meningococcal disease in 2009
Sofie
says: "Benjamin was 15 months old when he contracted meningiccocal
septicaemia in 2009. He went from being a little bit poorly to
dangerously ill within a few hours. I could not believe that a child who
could eat a reasonable lunch could be so ill 4 hours later. My husband
is a consultant neurologist and when I rang him to say I was worried he
left work early. He took one look at him and stuck him in the car and
dashed to the hospital. I waited for a friend to arrive to look after my
other children and by the time I got to the hospital less than an hour
later he had really deteriorated. The speed was unbelievable. However
the team at Wythenshawe hospital were amazing and due to their expert
care and the fact that he had antibiotics really early he has made a
full recovery. I am supporting this campaign as vaccinations are one of
modern medicines most important achievements and they already save
millions of lives every year."
Yorkshire and the Humber: Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (part of)
Kerrie Sharpe - Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Kerrie's daughter Danielle had meningococcal septicaemia at 2 and a half. She lost her right foot, toes on her left leg and fingers.
Kerrie says: "The day they amputated her right foot, all her toes on the left foot, her right index finger and the tip of the little finger on her right hand was the most emotionally destroying day in our lives. I will rage against what this disease did to her for the rest of my life but we still have our girl, and for that we must be eternally grateful. Some families are not so lucky."
Read Kerrie's story in full
Joanne McDade - HuddersfieldJoanne's son, Alex, contracted Pneumococcal meningitis just before his first birthday in 2002.
Joanne says: "We were told he only had a 50/50 chance of surviving the night and it was touch and go for a few days and he then spent a gruelling three weeks in hospital before he was finally allowed home. We’ve had huge support from Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) since then as we knew very little about pneumococcal meningitis and wanted to find out as much as we could. They gave us information about a new pneumococcal vaccine and we had both Alex and my daughter Georgia vaccinated as the jab wasn't part of the childhood immunisation scheme at the time. I will support any campaign to ensure that all types of meningitis can be vaccinated against."
Kathleen Hawkins - Leeds
Kathleen had Group B meningococcal septicaemia aged 18 in 2007. Both her legs were amputated below the knee. She has just completed her degree, obtaining a 2:1 and is studying for a Masters next. Kathleen collapsed during her first term of university and spent four months in hospital, during which time she received kidney dialysis. Kathleen is now trained befriender.
Kathleen says: “I fell ill with Group B meningococcal septicaemia when in my first term at university. I collapsed in my flat and my flatmates called an ambulance. I spent four months in hospital and had to have both legs amputated and was on kidney dialysis.”
Read Kathleen's story in full
Claire Smith - Beverley, East Yorkshire
Claire was just a few weeks away from celebrating her 18th birthday when she ended up in intensive care battling meningitis. She was due to return to college when she started to feel unwell and her doctor diagnosed flu. But when she deteriorated and a rash appeared her parents rushed her to hospital, where she spent two weeks fighting for her life.
Claire says: “Considering how very ill I was I consider myself extremely lucky that I didn’t have to have any amputations due to the severity of blood poisoning I had. I made a full recovery and am extremely lucky to be here today and can’t even put into words how much I thank the doctors and nurses who saved my life.”
Read Claire's story in full
Carrie Richardson - Howden, East Yorkshire
Carrie's daughter Georgia became ill aged 2, leading to her losing fingers and toes
Carrie says: "Georgia went to bed showing no signs of being ill but woke up vomiting and continued to do so throughout the night – I merely thought she’d eaten something funny or had a tummy bug, I didn't know the signs of meningitis... if I had I would have gotten medical help sooner. Two hours after she arrived at hospital Georgia was put into an induced coma and on a life support machine. Georgia stayed in this condition for three days, and the doctors couldn't tell if she would live or what quality of life she'd have if she did. Five weeks later she was allowed home but as a result of the disease Georgia lost all her fingers on her left hand to the first knuckle and a third of her toes on her right foot. She also had skin grafts to affected areas of the fingers and to her thigh.
Read Carrie's story in full
Laura Elliott - Beverley, East Yorkshire
Laura had the disease when in lower 6th - she was very ill but believes GP saved her life with speedy administration of antibiotics.
Laura says: "I thought I was just suffering from flu but a friend found me collapsed, semi conscious in the toilets at school. My mum took me to my local GP’s and they gave me intravenous penicillin before the ambulance arrived, which undoubtedly saved my life. Once in the ambulance I was told that they suspected I had meningitis and embarrassingly, I had no idea what that was. I spent a week in hospital receiving my treatment (four IV doses a day!) and although it was a horrifying ordeal I cannot be more grateful to have come out of it with no serious after effects. The only problems I faced were getting back into my school routine in order to be able to take my AS levels as the overwhelming fatigue made it difficult for me to wake up in the mornings and put me back in bed at 4.30pm every day. I suffered regular headaches and it was nine months before I was back at school full time when I began my second year of sixth form in September 2009."
Read Laura's story in full
Natasha Walsh - Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Natasha's son Mikey had GBS in 2008.
Natasha says: "My son Mikey contracted Group B Strep at birth and it became life threatening at 2 days old. He spent 5 days on life support where we were told he might not make it. In total he spent nearly 4 weeks in hospital. He has made an amazing recovery and is our little hero but even at the age of 3 we are still having to live with some of the repercussions."
Read Natasha's story in full
Vanessa Brooks - Sheffield, West Yorkshire
Vanessa's daughter Megan had meningococcal septicaemia in 2009. Put in induced coma, in hospital for several weeks. Good recovery.
Vanessa says: "We were told that she had been very sick and had we not got her there so quickly she probably would not have survived. My heart goes out to those people who have not been as lucky as us. I have always been aware of meningitis but until I actually experienced it did not fully appreciate what a terrible disease it is, and how quickly it strikes."
Read Vanessa's story in full
Allan and Linda Evans - Settle, North Yorkshire
Linda had meningitis aged 47 - left with fatigue, balance problems, tinnitus
Allan and Linda say: "We count ourselves lucky that Linda's Meningitis didn't leave her with more severe problems as it does with many people. However the initial trauma of Intensive Care, the partial hearing loss and getting tired more quickly have required us to make adjustments to our lives. The stress and impact on those around her was difficult to cope initially and resulted in a period of depression which, thankfully, is behind us now ."
Rachel Binner - Leeds
Rachel's brother Stuart Hocknell died aged 29.
Rachel says: "My brother, Stuart Hocknell, tragically died of meningitis in 2002, aged just 28. His symptoms started with a headache on a Monday and by Tuesday afternoon he was in intensive care in a coma. Wednesday, they switched off the machines. We miss him dearly and he would have made a fantastic uncle to my 2 daughters aged 4 and 2 and no doubt a great father to his own someday. No family should have to suffer such a devastating and unnecessary loss."
Simon Robertson - Bradford
Simon had meningococcal septicaemia aged 49 lost all toes on one foot and heel.
Simon says: "I don't think I really understood how ill I had been for some time after I had come out of hospital. After leaving hospital I started to realise how much my world and that of my family had fallen apart and changed our lives forever."
Read Simon's story in full
Carol Bally - Sheffield
Carol's son Daniel had meningitis earlier this year
Carol says: "Our worst nightmare happened in March this year when Daniel awoke at midnight with breathing difficulties, we dialled 999 straight away and when arriving at Sheffield Children's hospital Daniel had various tests including a lumbar puncture, after this we were told the awful news that he had E coli Meningitis with Septacemia. Fortunately they had caught it early and Daniel was on antibiotics for 3 weeks and made a good recovery. There seems to be no side effects from him having Meningitis although he does seem to catch things quite easily now but we are unsure if it is connected to this."
Claire and Andrew Arundel - Driffield, East YorkshireClaire and Andrew's daughter Lydia had pneumococcal disease at 5 and a half months
Claire and Adnrew say: "June 2002, the Queen's Golden Jubilee bank holiday weekend we should have been enjoying with our family and friends having barbeques and enjoying the sunshine, instead we were in Hull Royal Infirmary in intensive care as our beautiful baby girl Lydia at 5 and a half months old had pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia. It still seems like a really bad dream, a very surreal 2 weeks out of our lives. Lydia will be 10 this December and we still remain amazed and delighted at the unscathed intelligent girl she is.”
Kelly Whitehead - Hull
Kelly's daughter, Katie, had MenB when she was 3 months old.
Kelly says: "Katie made a full recovery and is now seven years old. I'm so thankful to everyone who was involved in her fast recovery and I know how lucky we have been. She may not have been the lovely person she is today, or even here at all."
Read Kelly's story in full
Karen Wilson - Harrogate
Karen's son, Joe, was nearly 3 when he had had Group B meningococcal septicaemia.
Karen says: "I saw the red blotches and called immediately for an ambulance, had I not known what it was I might have driven him down to the surgery and waited for a doctor. At the hospital they said that hour probably saved his life. I received all my information on meningitis with the packs I was given when I first had a baby. I’m in no doubt that I owed Joe's life to that information. It was a nightmare for the whole family but thanks to all the support and guidance we came through it well, and still do."
West Midlands: Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire
Julie and Jerry Woodhouse - Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Julie's daughter, Sally, was 16 when she died of Group B meningococcal meningitis in 2006.
Sally was a bright, fashionable teenager with everything to live for when she died at the age of 16 of meningococcal meningitis Group B.
She started to feel unwell on the Friday evening, but it didn’t appear serious. But during the early hours of Sunday morning Sally felt sick and said she needed to go to hospital. Whilst waiting to be transferred to the children’s ward she fell asleep and didn’t wake up again.
Julie says: "“I felt that the events were all happening to someone else, another family, not mine. Nobody could believe that someone as healthy as Sally could have died so quickly – it was unbelievable. Everyone who knew Sally loved her! She was beautiful, vivacious and fun-loving. We all miss her so much and always will. We feel that it is unbelievable what has happened to us and can’t believe that in this century children and teenagers are dying from this disease.”
Read Sally's story in full
Lesley Hart - HerefordLesley had meningococcal group B in May 2010. Lesley's suffered from lots of after effects including. tinnitus, headaches, balance problems, sleep problems, memory problems, bad dreams and weight gain.
Lesley says: "I spent ten days in hospital when I fell ill with meningitis last year. I have been left with many after effects which I am having to learn to live with."
Read Lesley's story in full
Sharon Cosford - Chelmsley Wood, West Midlands
Sharon's son Daniel Halford died of meningococcal disease aged 18.
Sharon says: "Daniel had complained of a headache on the Wednesday night and by 6pm Thursday he was fighting for his life. Six hours after being induced into a coma he suffered a cardiac arrest and never regained consciousness. A huge gap has been left in our lives, a gap that I feel will never be filled."
Read Sharon's story in full
Lynn Bayliss - Rugby, Warwickshire
Lynn's son Jacob had pneumococcal meningitis and recovered.
Lynn says: "At no time did we ever think there was anything seriously wrong – let alone the fact it could be meningitis. We have never felt as helpless as parents and it was very difficult for us to understand and comprehend the seriousness of the illness. Jacob remained in hospital for nearly three weeks and ‘touch wood’ he has no lasting effects, although he is still very young and the effects may show a little later in his life.
Dave Winter - Shrewsbury
Dave's son Ben was admitted to Royal Shrewesbury Hospital shortly after his first birthday in December 2006 and was quickly diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia.
Dave says: "Ben had been sick on and off all day and had a rash – I carried out the tumbler test and initially the rash blanched. I called NHS direct, who booked me an evening appointment, but thankfully my wife insisted that we go straight to the hospital. The doctors said if we had come an hour earlier, we would have been sent home, and an hour later it would have been much more serious. As it was he was admitted for treatment for about a week over the Christmas period and has made a full recovery.
Jo Lofting - Hereford
Jo's son Jack had meningococcal septicaemia at age 13 months
Jo says: "We were living in Kent at the time. One morning Jack appeared to be extremely sleepy and couldn’t be woken, a doctor was called and came straight out on their arrival a rash had started to appear under the skin. We then drove directly to the nearest hospital were Jack was rushed into the children’s ward. A team from Guys hospital in London were called in and Jack was then transferred by ambulance to Guys. He spent about 3 days in intensive care and in all he spent approximately 16 days in hospital. Jack has had to deal with a lot of after effects as a result. He suffers from epilepsy and has to have medication twice a day. He has global developmental delay and has the mental age of a two year old. He is non verbal and is unable to eat and drink properly resulting in a gasterosomy having to be put into his stomach. He has a left side heamaplegia and very poor balance. There are many other disabilities that Jack suffers from but above all of this Jack is extremely happy and totally unaware that he is different from other people. He is totally dependent on his family and personal assistants for all his care needs."
East Midlands: Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire (part of), Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire
Rachel Whitemore - Annesley, NottinghamshireKassius became ill on 29th Dec and was admitted to hospital on 30th December. After blood tests and within 2 days Kassius had a probable diagnosis of meningococcal septicaemia. Kassius is now on the way to recovery and back home, after 7 days in hospital.
Rachel says: "My son Kassius was two years and three months old when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia on 29th December 2010. We had all been suffering from flu for the previous two weeks, so when he became ill we just assumed that is what it was. According to the doctors, we caught it early and Kassius has appeared from this terrible trauma apparently unscathed apart from a few tissue scars. I still cannot believe how lucky we have been and how our story could have been so different."
Read Rachel's story in full
Claire and Steve Bright - Ripley, DerbyshireIn 2001, at the age of 13 months Claire and Steve's son William contracted meningococcal septicaemia but made a full recovery. In 2007 William's twin brother Edward contracted Group Y meningococcal septicaemia but he wasn’t so lucky and the disease resulted in amputations of his arms and his legs.
Claire and Steve say: "Edward’s sheer energy and zest for life makes you forget what he’s been through sometimes. He is an inspiring character but meningitis is still a devastating disease. I am so proud of Edward but I don’t want this to happen to another family so we really need to make sure that children can be vaccinated against all types of meningitis."
Read Edward's story in fullZoe Bell - Leicester
Zoe lost her son Jack to pneumococcal meningitis in 2004.
Zoe says: "Jack was always very healthy until one day in 2004, aged 14 months, he suddenly became unwell with what appeared to be a stomach bug. Immediately following this, Jack contracted pneumococcal meningitis which tragically claimed his young life in less than 48 hours. Jack was a little star, a beautiful, happy and wonderful child who brought us, and everyone he met, so much joy."
Sharon Smith - Kettering, Northamptonshire
Sharon contracted septicaemia herself in 2010
Sharon says: "I had been aware of some of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia but despite having some of those symptoms the extreme pain in my leg distracted me to the degree that it never crossed my mind that I had septicaemia. In fact, on admittance to the hospital, the doctors were unsure which department I should be treated by.
East of England: Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk
Nicole Wilson - Ely, CambridgeshireTeenager Nicole Wilson lost both of her legs and is awaiting a kidney transplant after she suffered meningococcal septicaemia while on holiday, but despite everything knows how lucky she was to survive.
Nicole was flown home and spent six months in hospital, but had both legs and her fingers amputated and is now on the waiting list for a kidney.
Nicole's mum Bev, who was back in England says: “Nicole’s health was deteriorating fast, her organs had started to shut down. I was terrified. The last call I had was to say she had a 10 to 20% chance of survival.”
Nicole adds: “I don’t think people realise quite how serious it can be. If anyone has a high temperature, sickness or aching joints I’d say ‘get yourself checked out’. Better to be safe than sorry.”
Martin Neave - Wattton, Norfolk
Caroline Neave was 18 when she died of meningococcal septicaemia, just one day before her family received her A-level results which would have secured her University place. She had felt ill for several days whilst on a family holiday, suffering a sore throat and headache, but her family thought it was the return of tonsillitis she had been fighting.
Her dad Martin says: “In the middle of the night we heard her stumbling about having been sick again. Knowing, instinctively, that this was more than just a bad head and sore throat, we went straight to the nearest hospital where the superb staff did all that was possible to help. They diagnosed meningitis quite quickly as the tell tale red blotches had now appeared, for the first time. Caroline never regained consciousness and died in the intensive care unit at Stoke hospital on the Wednesday.”
Josh Benham - Cringleford, Norfolk
Josh
had the disease when at university. He was rushed to hospital, fell
into a coma. Two weeks later he left hospital having made good recovery,
but it took about 12 months before he was back to normal.
Josh
says: "I was rushed to hospital, was in a coma and my friends and family
were told I was not likely to make it through the night."
Eve Popper - Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire
Eve's husband Michael had meningitis aged 62, resulting in hearing and balance problems
Eve says: "My husband Michael contracted meningitis in 2000 at the age of 62. It was terribly traumatic – most people think only the young get meningitis and so do not really appreciate this can happen to older people too. Thankfully he recovered but has been left deaf as a result, which has been totally life-changing for both of us."
Hannah Shelton - Hethersett, Norwich
Hannah had meningitis and septicaemia in June 2010
Hannah says: "When I caught meningococcal septicaemia, I had no idea of the seriousness of it. It was a huge blur at first. Luckily my Mum is a Nurse and spotted the signs early. The treatment I had saved my life and I am so grateful, as well as only having slight problems afterwards compared to some people less fortunate, to have major problems."
Samantha Todd - Peterborough
Samantha's son Daryl had meningococcal septicaemia at age 14 on the eve of the new millenium. His sister knew about the tumbler test and so took quick action, but Daryl has still been left with after effects.
Samantha says: “My son Daryl contracted meningococcal septicaemia on the eve of the new millennium when he was 14 , and if it wasn’t for his sister’s quick thinking he may not have received the life-saving treatment he needed. My eldest daughter saw the rash all over his chest and neck and had recently learnt about meningitis and the glass test at school. She ran to fetch a glass and a few moments later she was screaming; the rash wouldn't go away so we called the GP, who then called an ambulance. Daryl was in a coma at Addenbrooke's Hospital for a few days and a lumbar puncture confirmed he had meningococcal septicaemia. His friend Paul was also brought in with the same thing as they’d been at a party a few days before and had been sharing drinks. As a result of the disease Daryl was left with learning disabilities but has gone on to lead a normal life, he is married and now has a son of his own. I believe that everyone should be vaccinated against meningitis and septicaemia and be made aware of the symptoms so they don’t have to go through what we did.”
Read Samantha's story in full
Victoria MacDonald - Norwich
Victoria's husband Andrew died of pneumococcal meningitis the day after Boxing Day in 2002, aged 47.
Victoria says: "At six the next morning Andrew collapsed and was fitting; his body was covered in a blotchy, deep red rash. As I dialled 999 he stopped breathing and I began CPR. Sadly he was pronounced dead at 8am that morning. I was very angry that I hadn't thought of meningitis – my mother had contracted it as a baby and had lost her hearing as result, but I didn't think it would happen to a man in the prime of his life.
Read Victoria's story in full
Carli Grigg - Basildon, Essex
Carli's daughter Khiara was dangerously ill aged 13 months in Jan 2011. Khiara was lucky to survive, which Carli puts down to excellent hospital care
Carli says: "Meningococcal septicaemia is a seriously deadly illness, but thanks to the outstanding knowledge and care of the PICU at St Mary's and the CATS team my daughter is doing great. We can fight meningitis, but too often it is misdiagnosed and not recognised, every second counts with this disease, it needs to be caught immediately. I am supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and to ensure every child is vaccinated against every type of meningitis."
Read Carli's story in full
Nathan Bruce - Rayleigh, Essex
Nathan's brother, Daniel, died when he was 25
Daniel says: "My brother Daniel died from meningococcal septicaemia at the age of 25 in 2001. Daniel was an active, fit, healthy young man and was engaged to be married. I went out with him on the Thursday where, as usual, he was larger than life, funny and caring. On the Friday evening I spoke to him on the phone and he was complaining of a headache. That night he was admitted to hospital. He spent a week in intensive care, being kept alive by a machine. The next Friday he unfortunately lost his battle, and ultimately his life. It is tragic how this disease can take a man in his prime and get hold of him almost instantly. At the time I only thought it happened to babies and so do the majority of people."
Gail Truman - Haverhill, Suffolk
Gail's son, Jack, had the disease aged 20
Gail says: "Jack became ill during his first year exams at University. Unfortunately his symptoms were not diagnosed immediately and I was concerned enough to go and collect him and take him to hospital. He was very ill for an unbearable 3 to 4 days, not knowing what the outcome was going to be. He had severe problems with his eyesight for a couple of weeks but now seems fully recovered. Early diagnosis is absolutely vital and we were so lucky with the final outcome."
Suzy Ashworth - Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire
Suzy's daughter Faith had meningococcal B. Faith was only 19 months old when she was sent home from nursery with a fever. Within 24 hours she was on life support in hospital with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and she remained in Addenbrookes for 2 weeks.
Suzy says: “We are grateful every day that she made a full recovery, but know that if we had known more then about the early signs and symptoms of meningitis, both we and the doctors might have diagnosed the infection sooner and spared her the trauma of such a long time on a ventilator."
Emily Furniss - Bushey, Hertfordshire
Emily's son George had meningococcal group B in July 2011 aged 23 month.
Emily says: "George spent two weeks in hospital seriously ill, including a terrifying week in intensive care where he suffered three cardiac arrests and was given only a 20% chance of survival. Luckily, and thanks to the excellent prompt care he received, George did survive and is now recovering well at home. We are shocked by the speed and severity of this appalling disease and feel just so relieved to have our little boy home in one piece when so many others aren't so lucky."
Louise McLelland - Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Louise, a teacher, was 20 when she had meningococcal septicaemia which resulted in her losing both her big toes.
Louise says: “I contracted meningococcal septicaemia when training to be a teacher. Luckily my GP was carrying the correct antibiotic in his bag, which was administered before I was taken to hospital. I was unconscious for five days and in hospital for another week and a half. A month later I had to have my big toes removed. I was lucky to have survived, thanks to quick treatment. I am supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the meningitis and septicaemia and to ensure every child is vaccinated against every type of meningitis.”
Ben Hodds - Lowestoft, Suffolk
Ben says: "My son, Ethan, now 6, contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 2006. Doctors gave him less than 10% chance of survival. He spent two weeks in hospital, 5 days of which in a coma. Luckily he has made a full recovery with the help of some fast and expert work from the doctors and staff at the hospital."
Tanya Mimpress - Shoeburyness, Essex
Tanya daughter Elizabeth got meningococcal diseases aged 18 months in 2005 resulting in scarring and the need for skin grafts.
Tanya says: "We wouldn't wish what happened to our daughter on our worst enemy. We don't know what Elizabeth would have been like if she hadn't had it. I do know she wouldn't have the scars; I know she wouldn't have spent six weeks in hospital; I know she wouldn't have been in a coma, where all we could do was watch. Six horrific weeks, then scars that will never heal, inside and out, both her and us. Yearly appointments, more plastic surgery for her, counselling and anti-depressants for me, and we don't know what our daughter will need in the future."
Read Tanya's story in full
Sarina Shah - Luton, Bedfordshire
Sarina's daughter Zulshen died in 2002 aged 5 months of meningococcal septicaemia. Zulshen was sent home from GP and then hospital but later rushed back in but it was too late.
Sarina says: "Within a few hours my little girl was dead. When I was taken to see her she was covered in a rash from head to foot. I can't believe how quickly the rash took over and consumed her little body. My advice would be trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone. Meningitis is deadly, it can destroy lives and families in an instant. I know it totally destroyed my life."
London
Nina Pottell - Camden
Nina was 18 years old, with A-levels looming and plans for university, when it all abruptly stopped when she was struck down by meningitis.
She doesn’t remember what happened for three days, but she ended up in hospital, and as a result of the disease lost her hearing, had temporary paralysis and had to have physio, speech and hearing therapy.
Nina says: “Despite being told by the doctors my hearing would come back, which led to years of waking up ‘in hope’, it didn’t. But I cope and it’s made me who I am. And the word that my family, friends and people who know me use the most when talking about me: resilient.”
Read Nina's story in full
Kathryn de Villiers - Balham
Kathryn was just a few weeks into her first year at university when she fell ill with meningococcal septicaemia, scared, alone and hundreds of miles from home.She thought she was just run down, but as she deteriorated friends called a doctor, who gave her life-saving antibiotics as a rash rapidly spread across her body. Despite being given only a 10 per cent chance of survival, Kathryn pulled through, but was left facing emotional battles.
Kathryn says: She said: “The weeks that followed were fantastic – life suddenly appeared to be a gift, and despite still feeling fragile, I was excited to be welcoming another day having been so close to death. But these feelings suddenly changed and I felt angry that I had been forced to face death at such a young age – I had been incredibly lucky and it scared me that something so final could happen so quickly, with no real warning.”
Read Kathryn's story in full
Carol Parry - Enfield
Carol's son Harvey, now aged 5, lost both of his legs, aged 2, and fingers on one hand due to MenB septicaemia. He has just won numerous medals in USA for running with prosthetic legs.
Carol said: “Harvey had only just learnt to walk when he became ill with the signs of meningococcal septicaemia in early 2007. He was in intensive care for weeks and stayed in hospital for over 4 months. During his time in hospital, we learned that the infection caused so much damage that his legs needed to be amputated and he lost fingers and the thumb on his right hand. In the last four years he has learnt to walk again using prosthetic limbs and has shown us how brave and determined he is. We are supporting this campaign because had this vaccine been available Harvey possibly would not of had any limb loss. The trauma, anguish and pain of seeing our son suffer this disease, the overwhelming experience of trying to rehabilitate our son, and get him the best possible prosthetic limbs and care available has had a devastating effect on the whole family life. We would not want or wish this on any parents and hopefully if the government back this campaign we together with your signatures can stop this terrible disease. We support this vaccine fully and urge parents & individuals to sign this petition, because what happened to Harvey can happen to anybody at anytime, until a vaccine becomes available.”
Jo Salmon - London
Jo was in her first year at university when in the January she was diagnosed with flu. Luckily, she had meningitis symptoms information at home and when a rash appeared she went straight to hospital, where she received life-saving antibiotics.
Jo says: “I was in hospital for 12 days and did not go back to university until the summer. It has taken me a long time to get over the after-effects: sensitivity to light, noise and crowds; lumbar puncture pain; bad headaches; poor memory and concentration; sudden tiredness. I now would say that I am 90% better, but can still be unexpectedly wiped out by headaches and tiredness. I try to do everything I can to raise awareness and money to help fight such a horrible illness.”
Annette Miles - London
Annette's sister Julie died aged 47, just two days before New Years Eve.
Annette says: "It took Julie just one day to die of meningococcal disease – she was 47. How could Julie be fine one day and gone the next? Five years on we are still picking up the pieces."
Read Annette's story in full
South and South East England: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex
Ewan Ross - Reading
At 19 Ewan was fully enjoying university life when he was struck down with meningococcal septicaemia. Having been found very ill by cleaning staff at his halls of residence Ewan was taken to a local GP surgery where, crucially, he was given a huge dose of penicillin before being taken by ambulance to the local hospital. Although at first things looked bleak for Ewan he went on to make full recovery spending two weeks in hospital before returning home.
Ewan says: “I know how lucky I am to have made such a recovery against the odds. Looking back the local GP saved my life. Without her quick diagnosis and treatment I wouldn’t have made it to the hospital let alone made it home. I often think back about how lucky I am but with some guilt for those not as lucky as myself."
Read Ewan's story in full
Kate Ogden - Brighton
When Kate was 19, at the end of her gap year, she went from finishing a normal day at work to fighting for her life against meningitis within 24 hours. When she started to feel ill she went to the doctor, who said she had a virus, and later when Kate spotted a rash the doctor said this was another sign of a virus. Her condition deteriorated and she ended up unconscious in intensive care, and was diagnosed 10 days later with meningococcal meningitis Group B – the strain for which there is no vaccine.
Kate says: “Sometimes even with the quickest action and the best medical care, meningitis still proves fatal. I’m incredibly proud of how all my family and friends pulled together to get me through it. I’ll never be able to thank them – or the doctors that saved my life – enough for what they’ve done. Know the symptoms, listen to your body, trust your instincts, and manage the minutes. It could save a life.”
Read Kate's story in full
Justin Stevens - Eastbourne
Justin's son Jack had meningococcal septicaemia in January 2011. The retrieval team took Jack from Eastbourne to Evelina Children's Hospital, London. He also had swine flu. Jack spent 13 days in intensive care and 4 days on a ward, 8 of those were spent on life support. Jack has been left scarred, but otherwise recovered.
Justin said: "Jack was seriously ill with meningococcal septicaemia in January and spent over two weeks in hospital, eight days of which on life support. Luckily he made a full recovery but we spotted the symptoms early which we were told had a great impact on Jack's recovery."
Zoe Jeanes - Horsham, West Sussex
Zoe was just 18 and enjoying the party lifestyle when she suffered meningococcal septicaemia. She was sent home by her GP telling her it was just a migraine, but was later rushed to hospital where she spent time on both life support and dialysis machines. She has been left with after effects to her hearing, but knows how lucky she was.
Zoe says: “My parents were told by doctors they didn't think I would make it through the night. I was told by one of the doctors afterwards that if I’d been an hour later, I would be dead. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't remember how lucky I am!”
Read Zoe's story in full
Michelle Hayman - Canterbury
Michelle's son George Keen had meningitis twice, once at birth and again at 6 weeks. He has suffered from many after effects, including deafness, lost sight in one eye and weakness on one side.
Michelle says: "We still to this day have no answer to why or how this happened to George but we do believe had he been treated quicker on the second episode he may have again made a full recovery as he did at birth. He has some devastating after effects but we feel extremely lucky that he is still with us."
Read Michelle's story in full
Jonathan Hopper - Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Just six weeks after my Jonathan's son, Benjamin, was born he contracted meningococcal b septicaemia.
Jonathan says: "Fortunately my wife was a senior nurse at the local hospital and her knowledge of the disease helped us to take action quickly. The next week was completely nail biting. Fortunately, we were very lucky as Benjamin has had no lasting effects and I strongly believe that this is credited to my wife’s speedy thinking and the fantastic care we received at our local NHS Hospital. I’m supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and that every child is vaccinated against meningitis so less people would have to endure the process that Benjamin, Laura and I went through."
Read Jonathan's story in full
Judi and Richard Mills - Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Judi and Richard's son, Harry, died aged 11 of meningococcal disease.
Judi says: "I can still remember taking him to our GP’s surgery for his meningitis jab when he was just a toddler, the nurse told me that there were several strains of the disease but the one she was vaccinating my son against Meningitis C was by far the worst. I left convinced Harry was safe but almost a decade later another nurse tried to comfort me as my son lay on a hospital bed, dying of Meningitis B. Harry’s life was extinguished in a single day by this terrible disease, because it is so difficult to detect we believe a vaccine is the only way to fight and eradicate this strain of meningitis"
Read Harry's story in full
Grant Alborough - Basingstoke, Hampshire
Grant's daughter Hannah died aged 17 in 2005. She went to hospital, but was sent home sent home saying was a virus. Back in 24 hrs later, in ICU for 3 days before herlife support turned off.
Grant says: "I stood and watched Hannah being born and 17 years later I stood and watched her die, this is not how it is supposed to be, and nothing can ever prepare you for that."
Danielle Foster - Chertsey, Surrey
Danielle had the disease when she was 3
Danielle says: "I have pretty much no recollection of what I went through, so it would have been my family who were going through the pain of having a loved one in a coma. At that point I hadnt had the vaccination for meningitis but no one thought that a little cold could turn into something as huge as this."
Denise Waterton - Wendover, Buckinghamshire
Denise says: "After contracting meningococcal septicaemia in 2007 my health has been badly affected. I have stage three kidney failure, which means my damaged kidneys still function but not as well. I also have tinnitus in both ears, swathes of wound-like scars on my feet from the septicaemia, painful joints and lethargy. I'm so grateful to be alive, but I used to be a fit, active woman and I do mourn for her."
Read Denise's story in full
Donna Cooney - Rochester, Kent
Donna's son Oliver became ill soon after his first birthday.
Donna says: "I was putting a very poorly Ollie to bed I noticed pinprick red spots on his neck. I had seen the glass test carried out by Dr Hilary on TV. I did this and the spots didn’t go away. He was rushed to hospital. Ollie had 5% chance of survival but after about a week on life support and 4 weeks in hospital doctors were amazed he pulled through and his limbs weren't affected. Had I not known the signs it would have been a very different story."
Amy Davis - Farnham, Surrey
Amy had meningococcal septicaemia in January. Had toes amputated and heel. Amy had a very long recovery - she still needs check ups and is on crutches.
Amy says: "I spent two weeks in a coma, a further week in intensive care and was then moved onto a ward for a further nine weeks. I lost all my finger nails and had six toes amputated and part of my heel. Meningitis is something you see and hear about in the media, I never thought it would happen to me. It's had many negative and positive effects on me and my family but mainly it has brought us closer together."
Charlene Desmond - Harrow, Middlesex
Charelene was seriously ill when she was 20.
Charlene says: “I became seriously ill with meningococcal septicaemia in January 2001 when I was 19 years old. It was a truly terrifying experience, although, it was my family (Mum in particular) that suffered the most. I spent 6 days in an induced coma where my family were told to say their goodbye’s to me as the chances of me surviving this illness were extremely slim. I was in hospital for approx 4 weeks and had to learn to walk again. The symptoms were very similar to the flu, but, luckily I survived the deadly disease unscathed. Despite the rash becoming very prominent on my skin and my kidneys failing on the way to the hospital I managed to recover. Although I didn’t have any physical after effects, the emotional turmoil will never be forgotten. I would do everything in my power to prevent any other family going through the heartache and distress my family went through so am supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and to ensure every child is vaccinated against every type of meningitis. “
Nigel Bruty - Southampton
Nigel's grandson had GBS at birth. Diagnosed with significant brain damage.
Nigel says: "My grandson, Liam, was born with Group B Streptococcal Meningitis in April 2008 and was initially given a 50/50 chance of survival. Following two weeks in intensive care, anti fitting drugs and a year long course of antibiotics, he survived. Had Liam's Mum been identified as a carrier prior to Liam's birth, steps could have been taken to prevent him contracting it."
Read Nigel's story in full
Vanessa McKendrick - Chobham, Surrey
Vanessa's son Max had meningococcal septicaemia when he was nine.
Vanessa's says: "Max was nine when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia one Christmas - the speed of his deterioration from 'flu -like symptoms to unconsciousness and coma was only a matter of hours.Crucially, the rash was the last of the symptoms to appear, by which time Max was unconscious. It is important to understand the symptoms can appear in any order - do not wait for the rash ! And recognise that cold hands and feet suggest septicaemia. Eventually, after a period on a ventilator in Intensive Care, Max made a full recovery."
Read Vanessa's story in full
Cat Barker - Milton Keynes
Cat's son Leon had meningococcal septicaemia in 2007 aged 18months. Last year he had open heart surgery - arteries had collapsed maybe due to septicaemia.
Cat says: "My son Leon was seriously ill with meningococcal septicaemia in January 2007. He was in a coma for a week on life support for nearly 2 weeks and all in all spent just over a month in hospital at oxford. Unfortunately the septicaemia rotted his aortic heart valve which meant he was heavily medicated and monitored. Eventually he underwent open heart surgery at Great Ormond Street in July 2010 and has recovered very well. He will need medical intervention for his heart for the rest of his life. It is so important to be aware of the symptoms, Leon is one of the lucky ones!"
Andrew and Gillian Meighan - Andover, Hampshire
Andrew and Gillian lost their daughter Emily to pneumo aged one.
Andrew says: "Our daughter Emily contracted Pneumococcal meningitis when she was 1 year old in November 2004 and tragically passed away. Emily had several minor illnesses leading up to her death, including a spell in hospital with a virus. She was very poorly and her immune hadn’t had a chance to recover as it was one illness after another. She contracted Pneumococcal meningitis on the Sunday and was declared dead on the Tuesday. It attacked her immune system violently and she was unable to fight off the disease. If she had been inoculated she may never of been in this position and this is why this is so important we back the vaccine campaign. We do not wish to see another child lost to this horrible disease."
Jeni Tucker - Reading
Jeni's daughter Kate died aged 31 leaving behind 10 year old son.
Jeni says: "When we arrived at the hospital she was taken into a room and that was the last time we saw her conscious. I had the horrendous job of explaining to her son that she would die after they turned off all the machines."
Read Jeni's story in full
Diana Man - Wadhurst
Diana had Group B meningococcal septicaemia when she was 25 resulting in amputations to fingers and both legs at her knees.
Diana says: "I contracted meningoccal septicaemia at the age of 25 and spent over 6 months in hospital. I have had both lower legs amputated and all the fingers on my right hand, have epilepsy and been through multiple skin grafts. But meningitis does not only affect the victim of the disease, but the people around them. My mum says she will forever feel guilty for not picking up on what was wrong sooner."
Read Diana's story in full
Deb Hollywood - Hurstpierpoint, Sussex
Deb's daughter Jess had GBS at six days old.
Deb says: "The consultant said he had never seen such a full recovery for a baby that had been so ill. We were one of the lucky ones – a fact I give thanks for and am reminded of as Jess goes about her day to day life, able to brush her hair and teeth, never mind take part in school swimming galas and sports day - we know it is not the same for everyone."
Diane Marks - Brighton
Diane got meningococcal disease when she was 24 and was left totally blind as a result.
Diane says: "I know just how devastating meningitis and septicaemia can be. Within a few short hours of first feeling unwell I was in hospital fighting for my life. Because of meningitis I will be blind for the rest of my life. I am supporting this campaign as it’s absolutely vital that a vaccine is made available so other people do not have to go through what I have."
Ruth Dickson - Chatham, Kent
Ruth's brother, Jonathan, died while he was at University.
Ruth says: "We lost our older brother to meningitis 12 years ago. While he was at school the vaccinations were not available and he contracted the disease in his first term at university. We still miss him every day.'"
Doug Hutt - Warlingham, Surrey
Doug's brother Jim died last New Year's Eve aged 37 and stepfather Bryan survived it in 1998
Doug says: "My younger brother, Jim, was a young fit 37 year old and came down with an ear infection that very quickly turned to septicaemia and meningitis. Within hours of being admitted to hospital he was gone. And this was the second time meningitis touched our family, as my stepfather Bryan survived the disease 13 years ago."
South West England: Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall
Jodie Cross family - Braunton, Devon
Both Jodie's daughters had different strains of meningitis within weeks of each other - while Millie recovered fully, Lydia lost both her legs and has hearing damage
Jodie says: "We were told there was a one in 8,000,000 chance this could have happened - siblings catching different strains of meningitis straight after each other. We were far too trusting and believed the doctors knew best. Neither of our girls had a rash but the other signs to the 'professionals' were there. Some people think we were so unlucky for this to happen. But we think every day how lucky we are to still have both our beautiful, little girls."
Read Jodie's story in full
Kevin and Sarah Buckingham - Plymouth
Kevin and Sarah's son, Tom, had bacterial meningitis when he was two and a half years old. He survived but it has left him profoundly deaf and has had a cochlear implant fitted.
Kevin says:"It's every parent's worst nightmare. He went into a comatose state and was like that for five days. If he did open his eyes it was a blank, there was nothing there. We didn't know if he was going to survive, it was awful, just awful."
Debbie Massey - Gloucester
Debbie's son Jack had Men B at 5 weeks old. He made a full recovery.
Debbie says: "I have to say I never had a clue what meningitis was and it was a mix of luck and motherly instinct that got us to hospital. They ran some simple tests and after what seemed like an eternity they told us it was meningitis. We were told to prepare for the worst. At about 9pm Jack did get worse - his heart beat raced to over 220bpm and I believe he suffered a cardiac arrest (it was a blur!). He was then in intensive care for 3 days. Luckily, just as quick as he was ill he seemed to recover!
Shirley Carmichael - Yate, South Gloucestershire
Shirley's son Andrew contracted pneumococcal meningitis when he was eight months old in 2002.
Shirley said: "As a result Andrew has been left with profound neurological damage, severe epilepsy and underwent a rare operation in 2010 to switch off the left hand side of his brain to try and control his fitting. I am supporting this campaign to ensure that all children are vaccinated against all forms of meningitis so they don’t have to face the difficulties my family face in the future, both financially and emotionally."
Lucy Bourne - Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol
Lucy had just returned from a school trip to Russia when she fell ill with meningitis. Her GP had diagnosed tonsillitis, and despite feeling unwell she managed to pass her driving test before being taken to hospital in the middle of the night where bacterial meningitis was confirmed.
Lucy says: “Luckily bacterial meningitis was diagnosed pretty quickly and I made a full recovery although it was several months before I returned to my studies and life returned to normal. Increased awareness of this dangerous disease will hopefully mean less people suffer.”
Clare Bond - Torquay
Clare's son Bradley had meningococcal septicaemia aged two and a half
Clare say: "Bradley wasn't well and I noticed a couple of spots. I did the tumbler test and they didn't go. Luckily the emergency doctor gave him penicillin and sent us to A&E where he spent nearly a week but made a full recovery."
Scottie Kern - Swindon
Scottie lost his, Cailan, to pneumo aged 11 months.
Scottie says: "The compounding element to Cailan's story is that I was working for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and worked extensively with the Vaccines Research unit. Cailan had been fully vaccinated in accordance with the national schedule of that time, but if Prevenar 13 - a vaccine I actually worked on - had been approved less than a year earlier, Cailan would still be alive."
Gail Philips - Bridgwater
Gail's son William had pneumococcal disease resulting in hearing damage
Gail says: "William contracted pneumococcal meningitis at the age of 5. He was seriously ill, but thankfully pulled through. On leaving hospital we were very aware that his level of hearing had decreased, but were still shocked to be told he would have to wear hearing aids. As a family we have experienced many tears, and much anger and frustration. William has now adjusted to his situation and continues to lead the normal life of a very lively boy."
Read Gail's story in full
Hayley Wooton - Almondsbury, Bristol
Hayley's daughter, Cara, had meningococcal septicaemia aged 12 last year. She made a full recovery.
Hayley says: “My daughter Cara contracted meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia aged 12 in 2010. Thanks to the constant TV info and leaflets I received when I was a new mum, I was able to remember (years later) to do the tumbler test, phone for the ambulance and get Cara into hospital quickly. Thankfully 10 days later she made a full recovery. I am supporting this campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers of the disease and to ensure every child is vaccinated Men B.”
Kathy Lye - Bath
Kathy's son, Jasper, who is now 12, was 4 months old when he contracted, meningococcal septicaemica.
Kathy says: "Jasper was 4 months old, on changing his nappy I saw a rash on his tummy, I did the glass test, drove him to my doctor's surgery, which took about 10 minutes. When we arrived the rash has spread all over the lower half of his body. He had his first penicillin injection there, before being transferred by ambulance to hospital. He was only in hospital a week and recovered fully, the quick diagnosis and early penicillin injection was crucial to the final happy outcome."
Jenny Pendleton - Clifton, Bristol
Jenny says: "My niece Hannah Katie King died from meningococcal septicaemia; the blood poisoning form of the disease, in December 2007. She came home from school feeling unwell with a severe headache. In the early hours of the morning she was taken to hospital where her condition deteriorated rapidly; she collapsed, was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis and died soon after. We we will do anything we can to help speed up the development of a vaccine so other families do not have to go through what we went through.”
Christine Lake - Bedminster, Bristol
Christine's son Joseph had aged 13 months in 1999 resulting in growth plate problems, lots of operations.
Christine says: "Joseph survived but lost several digits on his fingers, and is severely scarred from the septicaemia and fasiotomies. He also has growth plate damage and has had constant surgery since he contracted the disease."
Nicky McClure - Wimborne, DorsetNicky's daughter Megan had GBS at 3 days.
Nicky says: "Megan was rushed to hospital where they started treating her for meningitis straight away. W were told the next 24 hours were critical and if we had waited any longer to bring her in we would have lost her. We are incredibly lucky to have a happy, healthy daughter and in many ways it still affects us when we hear about people who were not as lucky as we are."
Read Nicky's story in full Adrienne Reed-Thomas - Harford, DevonAdrienne's daughter Myrtle had meningococcal septicaemia last year aged six.
Adrienne says: "Our daughter, Myrtle, contracted meningococcal septicaemia last year, aged 6. Despite a hard fight in ICU, she has made a full recovery thanks to the fantastic treatment received at Derriford Hospital and the Bristol Children’s Hospital."
Pauline Knowles - Frome, SomersetPauline's son, Nigel, had meningitis when he was 4 resulting in lots of after effects
Pauline says: "My son Nigel had TB meningitis when he was four. He suffered permanent, serious brain damage which caused blindness, dystonia, poor concentration and poor short term memory. I was told if his symptoms been recognised and diagnosed earlier, he probably would not have suffered serious, if any brain damage. I am thankful for his survival, but his life has been made difficult by the brain damage that resulted."
Read Pauline's story in full