Jimmy Yuill's story
Actor Jimmy recounts the two weeks in 1998 when meningitis nearly took his life, and the subsequent impact on his memory and career.
My name is Kathleen Mills. I live in Northern Ireland and have two daughters and one son. In 1996 my healthy 6’3″, 19-year-old beloved son David died of meningococcal septicaemia.
On 21st March, David went to bed at 9.30pm as he was not feeling well, and was unable to go to work the next day. We rang the doctor, who said it was flu. By teatime, he had a sore throat and the doctor gave him an antibiotic. He vomited an hour later. I noticed the change and rang the doctor again. David was immediately brought to hospital, but it was too late – my son was completely braindead, and it was only because of the life support machine keeping him alive that he stayed on until the 25th of March.
My lovable and much-loved son who had lifted me up in his arms the night he took ill wouldn't hold me any more. It is my faith that has got me through this terrible tragedy.
I became a member of Meningitis Research Foundation so that I could learn more about what is being done to combat this terrible disease, so that my grandchildren and others will have a better chance of survival. I support the work by selling Christmas cards, pins, cookery books; non-uniform days, sponsored walks, street collections, home collection boxes, coffee mornings held in friends’ houses and my own.
One story can change a life. 2,030 could change the world. Share yours today.
Related stories
Juttima Chinnasri's story
Model and social media influencer Juttima shares the story of losing both of her legs after contracting meningococcal septicaemia in 2018.
David Carr's story
David died of meningococcal septicaemia in 1999. His mother Maureen shares his story.