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Ashley R's story

15th February 2018

Ashley was on holiday when he became ill. Fortunately his friends kept an eye on him and he was able to get the treatment he needed. The 24-year-old, from Braintree in Essex, has been left with damaged hearing and memory loss. He tells his story here

Ashley R's story

“I was on holiday on a cruise ship, which I have done before.

“I woke up on the Friday with all these symptoms – my whole body ached, a massive headache, lack of appetite and dizziness – and I knew something wasn't right. I slept all day without eating.

“I went to see the show with my friends and afterwards went to try and eat something. I was sick trying to eat, so I took myself back to my cabin.

Don’t remember anything

“I then don't remember anything from here on.

“However, a friend came in and said I was sitting on the floor with the air con on low and was completely naked. He also said my teeth were grinding and I just looked possessed.

“I woke up four days later after being put in an induced coma while in Italy.

“It turns out that if my friend hadn't got the medical help when he did, or if the ship had been sailing, I wouldn't have made it. I guessed I had between one and two hours left."

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