Kaya Luna Aisake’s story
Kaya was just a toddler when she was diagnosed with meningitis. Her mother, Candice Patrick, shares their family’s experience.
On 5 November 2024, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and placed in a medically induced coma for eight long days. My family were told I might not make it, but thanks to the incredible team in the intensive care unit (ICU), I pulled through. Waking up was only the beginning of a much harder journey.
I had to relearn the basics – how to walk, how to talk – things I’d once taken for granted. While in the high dependency unit, I went through terrifying delirium, and later I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the trauma I endured. Meningitis also left its permanent mark on me. I lost my hearing: I am now profoundly deaf in my left ear and moderately deaf in my right.
When I was first discharged from hospital, I felt lost and overwhelmed. That’s when I reached out to the Meningitis Research Foundation. Caroline, from their Support Services team, guided me through what my follow-up care should look like and connected me to therapy for my PTSD. Her kindness and support made such a huge difference to my recovery – and to my life.
Meningitis strikes again
Then, devastatingly, meningitis struck again on 26th March 2025. During a lumbar puncture, a nerve in my back was hit, leaving me temporarily wheelchair-bound. Through months of physiotherapy, I’ve been slowly regaining my mobility, step by step. It has been exhausting, painful, and at times disheartening – but I keep going.
Looking ahead
All I can say is, it gets better. At one point during my recovery I was at my lowest in terms of mental health and genuinely couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was hard to comprehend I am now permanently disabled at the age of 25, you never think it could be you. However, where I am now ten months post my first diagnosis I have hearing aids and learned how to navigate it. The support from Meningitis Research Foundation has been invaluable.
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I can't put into words how grateful I am for the support I've had from Meningitis Research Foundation. They were there when I needed them most, and their help has been truly life-changing. That's why I now want to give something back – to help this amazing charity continue supporting others who are thrown into the nightmare of meningitis, just as they supported me.
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Hannah Ewing's story
Hannah shares the story of contracting pneumococcal meningitis twice within a year and how Meningitis Research Foundation supported her.