Meningitis in your words

Karimich Schmidt's story

  • Location: England
  • Categories: Bacterial meningitis
  • Age: 60+
  • Relationship: Self
  • Outcome: Recovery with after effects
  • After effects: Co-ordination problems
Karimich Schmidt

When I was 6 I kept telling my parents my legs hurt. They thought I was making it up, but then I got really sick. I had rheumatic fever.

After a month in the hospital, I couldn't walk anymore and my legs still hurt badly. They realized then I also had bacterial meningitis. I could no longer move my legs and they started putting me in hot baths and laying me on a table and moving my legs for me. Another 6 weeks in hospital and got to go home.

That was 56 years ago.. I still cannot straighten my legs and they still hurt to this day...when I was 1 year later, tonsils out. When 16 had my thyroid removed.

"Could this be from the meningitis?"

All my life it's been one thing after another. I have balance issues, hearing loss,weak legs and arms that hurt constantly. Hardly any childhood memories remembered. Could this be from the meningitis? Have been wondering especially about my almost inability to walk on painful, weak legs.

Karmich Schmidt
June 2014