Hi, I’m Grace and this year I’m proud to be running the Manchester Half Marathon to raise awareness for meningitis, a condition that has changed my life in more ways than one.
Even now, years after my diagnosis, I still struggle with memory, concentration and balance. These are hidden but incredibly challenging after-effects of meningitis. These symptoms forced me to give up something that meant everything to me: my dream of becoming a professional ballerina. Dance had been my passion since I was little and it was heartbreaking to walk away from it because of the long-term impact meningitis left on my body.
My journey with meningitis began in December 2015, when I was just twelve years old. I suddenly became very unwell and was rushed to hospital, where I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Doctors told my mum that if she had waited even a little longer, I might not have survived. I spent several weeks in hospital, endured multiple failed lumbar punctures and was left with permanent damage to my eyesight. At the time, I was told it was extremely unlikely I would ever get it again. It was a traumatic experience, both physically and emotionally and something I thought I’d left behind for good.
Then, in September 2022, nearly 8 years later, it happened again.
What started as extreme exhaustion, migraines and a general feeling of being unwell quickly escalated. I struggled through a shift at work before being sent home. That night, I experienced intense neck and back pain, sensitivity to light and I couldn’t lift my head. I called 111 and was advised to get to hospital immediately. I was admitted and remained there for another week, receiving a second meningitis diagnosis. At the time, I was treated with outpatient IV antibiotics after discharge.
Today, I’m no longer on treatment, but I continue to live with lasting side effects, including chronic back pain from failed lumbar punctures, permanent eyesight damage, ongoing migraines, health anxiety and the continued struggles with memory, balance and concentration. These symptoms aren’t always visible, but they impact my daily life and they’re the reason I had to give up the future I once dreamed of in the world of dance.
The chances of developing meningitis more than once are as low as 4–9%, usually caused by chronic forms of the disease. It’s not something most people think can happen twice. But it can, and it does.
Meningitis is commonly misunderstood. Many associate it only with a rash - I didn’t have one the first time, but I did the second. In many cases, it presents just like the flu, which is why it often goes unrecognised until it’s dangerously advanced. That’s why raising awareness is so important to me, because acting quickly can be the difference between life and death.
I’m incredibly grateful to the NHS for the care I received both times. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I’m also thankful to my amazing family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey.
Running the Manchester Half Marathon is not just a personal challenge; it’s a way for me to give back and hopefully help others by raising awareness of this life-threatening illness. If you’d like to support the cause, please consider donating to a meningitis charity or simply sharing information to help others recognise the signs.
Thank you for reading my story - Grace x
#MeningitisAwareness #ManchesterHalfMarathon
To anyone going through this now, or supporting someone who is: please know that you're not alone. Recovery can take time and it might not always be a straight path, but progress is possible even in small steps. Be kind to yourself, hold onto hope and reach out when you need support. There is a community of people who understand and care, and together, we can get through even the hardest of days.