“Through my journey, I have learnt that life is important and to be given a second chance is priceless.”
“My name is Amandeep and I am a meningitis survivor.
“I don’t usually talk about my personal life, but I wanted to share my experience after I contracted bacterial meningitis in my mid 20s. I brushed the illness under the carpet for 17 years, not intentionally, but I thought I was okay and wanted to give the same impression to family and friends.
“But deep down, I was hiding my struggles from, not only myself, but from others around me too.
“Today people are more open to discuss mental health issues than they were 17 years ago.
More positive turn
“If I had this level of support after I contracted meningitis, that I have today, then I feel my life would have taken a different, more positive turn much sooner. I’m glad people are more open about mental health and trauma. If this wasn’t a stigma back then, my outlook would have different.
“There are many long-term after-effects of meningitis, such as fatigue, emotional imbalance, cognitive impairment, confidence, pain … the list goes on. Many of which affected me straight after meningitis and some of which still affect me today.
“However, with the support network I have built around me today, I have been able to live alongside the long-term effects.
Life is important and a second chance priceless
“The memories and after-effects still live with me, but through my journey, I have learnt
that life is important and to be given a second chance is priceless.
“Not everyone gets a second chance so, this year we (myself, my husband Vick and my son Arjun, who is 10, and daughter, Simran, who is 6) will be raising funds through an event at British Military Martial Arts (BMMA) in Leeds, with all the proceeds going to Meningitis Now.
“Arjun will be teaching a beginners Martial Arts class on 9 November between 12pm-1pm.”
Please support Arjun, Amandeep and the family if you can. If you'd like to donate click here.
