At the age of 6 months I contracted biological meningitis after coming down with 'flu.
I spent the next 6 months in and out of London Hospital. At one point I was stone deaf. I had a shunt fitted to clear my spinal column. I was too small for them to put it in my neck so they put it on my back.
My parents were advised to put me in care. I am so glad that they declined, taking me home and working with me. They were also advised have any more children sooner rather than later, they had three more in the next four years, I have two brothers and a sister.