“The support my family and I received from Meningitis Now at one of the hardest times was amazing.”
We’ve been helped to raise awareness of this by our supporter Becca, from Southampton, who contracted meningitis some six years ago when she was 19, leaving her with life-changing after-effects. She shares her story here.
“Six weeks after starting at the University of Southampton, I contracted meningococcal septicaemia in November 2018.
“I felt slightly unwell, a bit like a hangover, but was vomiting continuously so went to A&E.
“I was about to be sent home when I collapsed and started showing signs of sepsis.
Told to prepare for the worst, twice
“A few hours later I was put in an induced coma and moved to intensive care. I was in the coma for two weeks, during which my family were told to prepare for the worst twice.
“Fortunately, I came out the other side but faced permanent after-effects. I spent nearly four months in hospital and several more recovering at home.
“I lost both my legs below the knee and fingers on both hands. I spent seven weeks in rehabilitation when I was discharged from hospital learning to walk on prosthetic legs.
Absolutely amazing hand transplant
“I was fortunate to receive a hand transplant in Leeds last year, which has been absolutely amazing! I have much more function so far and I am still doing physiotherapy to help improve this. I am also gaining sensation in my new hand now, so I can feel warmth, cold and some textures.
“I returned to university in 2020 to complete my degree. I am now 25, a medical student and I am currently doing a Masters in Medical Science (sandwiched in my medicine course). Within this year, I am doing a research project in cancer immunology.
“Although my life has a new ‘normal’, I’m very grateful that I am back to uni and living my life! Everything is going well and I hope to graduate in 2027 as a Doctor.
Amazing support from Meningitis Now
“The support my family and I received from Meningitis Now at one of the hardest times was amazing.
“They offered a range of types of support including counselling and peer support through their Believe & Achieve programme for young people. The process was easy and accessible to us!
“Thankfully, our experience is now in the past and we continue living our lives!
“We are now keen to help support other families affected by this disease.”
Thanks for your support Becca and for sharing your story. Read more on the UKHSA announcement and our response here.
