Meningitis in your words

Elanda from Manchinjiri, Blantyre in Malawi lost her son, Praise, to bacterial meningitis in February 2010 aged 10 months.

Nikki talks about having meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and her subsequent recovery.

Gemma describes the worst two weeks of her life when her son, Matthew, contracted meningococcal septicaemia at 13 months old.

Heather talks about contracting meningococcal septicaemia when she was 12, resulting in lower leg amputations and skin scarring.

Bridget from the Northern Ireland travelling community describes the loss of Michael when he was just two years old.

Robbie contracted meningococcal meningitis at 21 months, resulting in amputations. His mum Jill shares their story.

Lesley talks about the effect meningitis has had on her life, and how it's changed the way she lives.

Laura and Michael Mittelman describe the tragic loss of their daughter, Alice, to pneumococcal meningitis.

Janine talks about her son's fight with pneumococcal meningitis, and his subsequent discharge from hospital and follow-up checks.

Charlotte lost her lower arms and legs to meningitis and sepsis. Her mother Jenny shares the story of her illness and recovery.

Sue describes her son Cieran's meningococcal meningitis and the after-effects they are managing.

Zoe shares her story of having meningococcal septicaemia - initially mistaken for a migraine - when she was 18 years old.