A photograph of Elizabeth Day seated indoors

Elizabeth Day's story

Elizabeth talks about having meningitis aged 8, and the effect it has had on her life since then.

- Date of Illness: 1963
- Author: Elizabeth Day
- Type of meningitis
  Bacterial
  Age at time of illness
  Child 6-12
  Outcome
  Recovery with after-effects
  After-effects
  Depression

I was 8 when I had meningitis. I awoke and couldn’t speak or walk or control my bodily functions.

I slipped into a coma and the doctors told my parents I was very ill and wouldn’t survive. My parents prepared for my burial, then came back to the hospital and much to their surprise I was sitting up looking for something to eat.

Now almost 60, I have partial paralysis, painful joints, my behaviour is sporadic. My legs are weak from the spinal tap and depression is a big issue. I get so down with my limitations I cry a lot, and really push myself to the limit. It’s a horrible challenge.

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