Jule Shafer's story

I am currently 33 and it's been one year since I contracted meningitis, through sources unknown. I was sick for almost four weeks. I was sent home from physicians assists and the ER, told I had the flu and it would pass. I couldn't eat or drink, I slept lots. Couldn't even move or walk from the pain and dizziness. I was in fear of losing my job.

Finally an emergency room doctor did a spinal test and it came back positive. Absolutely blessed my three young sons or other family did not catch it! After seven days in the hospital on IV antibiotics and other meds, I came home with a walker. I could do very little for myself and my body was wiped out. After several weeks of physical therapy I gained some mobility.

Fast forward to 14 months later... I still suffer from dull to migraine headaches, tremors in my hands and eyes, dizziness, forgetfulness, loss of balance and what are referred to as 'sensory seizures'. My neurologist has put me on one med that helped only temporarily, it dulls the systems but they are still there. I continue to push through but I am becoming increasingly overwhelmed by the mind issues. Glad to know I am not alone.

Jule Shafer
April 2016