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Jaimie's story

11th February 2015

Jaimie was studying Sports and Recreation when she fell ill at university. Had her flatmate not been so vigilant then she may not have been treated in time and made such a good recovery

Jaimie's story

Jaimie's dad Brian completed an unusual golf challenge for Meningitis Now in June 2010 and said her survival spurred him on.

He recalled the frightening few weeks when Jaimie was fighting for her life, an ordeal which began with little more than flu-like symptoms.

"We went to see her on the Sunday and she was fine. She said she felt a bit of a cold coming on when we said goodbye in the evening but there was nothing to indicate what was to come. The next day she said she still felt under the weather and was going to head to bed early. We owe her life to her housemate Andy, who noticed she hadn't got up the next morning.

He knocked on her door to check she was okay and when there was no answer he went in and discovered her lying semi-conscious. She had been sick and had a rash."

Andy called the doctors who said he would have to bring her in after surgery later that day.

Hero housemate

Luckily, Andy persisted and decided to ring the hospital and an ambulance came immediately.

Brian said: "His swift actions saved her life. The doctors suspected meningitis and Jaimie was treated with antibiotics straightaway.

"We got to Leeds at about 11.30am and she was delirious. She didn't have a clue who we were for about 12 hours. Doctors told us it was touch and go as the rash continued to spread throughout her body.

"The tips of her fingers were turning black but luckily the doctors caught it just in time to prevent any further damage.

She was in intensive care for four days and became more stable. It was only when they transferred her to the ward that we allowed ourselves to believe she would pull through."

Jaimie remained in hospital for the next two weeks before being allowed home to Stanley with her parents. But the next day Jaimie developed a condition called Bell's Palsy which caused the left hand side of her face to freeze. She was admitted to Durham Hospital where she spent a week not being able to smile or drink.

Back to university

Thankfully the paralysis subsided after six weeks and she returned to university. She now works at BAE Systems with her dad.

Brian added: "We're so proud of her. She's probably made as near a full recovery as you could expect. She hasn't got much feeling in her fingertips but apart from that she's fine.

Last year we both took part in the Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge to mark my 50th birthday and to do it with her made it extra special. Having meningitis has changed her outlook on life and made her want to do everything.

Hopefully we can help Meningitis Now find a vaccine to help save others in the future."

Money raised from Brian's golf challenge will go towards Meningitis Now’s Vaccine Campaign.

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