“I was keen to tell my story to help raise awareness as part of Viral Meningitis Awareness Week – it’s true that the disease can turn your life upside down!
I was taken ill in July 2015 and ended up in A&E at Luton and Dunstable, unaware of much that was going on around me. Without their quick response to my condition I know it would have been a lot worse.
I was in hospital for two-and-a-half-weeks and cannot remember the first two weeks.”
Madison had only opened her beauty salon in Berkhamsted the previous September but her illness meant she had to spend months away from her fledgling business learning to walk and talk again.
“I spent many months at home recuperating – it was a long road to recovery and overall a really scary experience.”
With the support of part-time beautician Sam Glover and the loyalty of her clients Madison was able to keep her business going whilst she was ill – and she has recently been nominated for a national beauty award too.
“These amazing clients stuck with me through a serious medical setback last year and helped give me the strength to fight back,” Madison added. “I’m forever grateful for their incredible loyalty and kind support.
I made it to the finals of Beautician of the Year at the English Hair and Beauty Awards and was invited to attend the awards evening in Manchester”, Madison said, “but unfortunately I didn't win.”
