In 2010, when I was 23 years old and before the adverts for vaccines were on television, I contracted meningitis. I hadn't even heard about it at the time.
In Bend, Oregon in April I was preparing for the state bowling tournament and was bowling the last night of league. It was a Wednesday, I'm not exactly sure what happened but I remember everything was fine that night but when I woke up, I was covered black and blue all over. I had a bunch of bruises everywhere and was sore like I had overworked my muscles. I tried to get up and out of bed but mostly had to crawl. Living alone at home, I chose to do what I expected was best which was to rest and let the body heal itself.
I received a phone call on Friday afternoon about carpooling with my dad to the state bowling tournament and I had to explain I couldn't make it and he asked me why. He rushed me to the hospital. I was in that hospital for three months hallucinating and drifting in and out of sleep.
By the time I had come to, my body mass had shrunk to 80lbs at 5'10" and I was constantly freezing. I was asked if I would be willing to try an experimental procedure. I said I would do anything as long as I could go to the national bowling tournament.
I got to be one of the first people to have bacterial meningitis and be put into the hyperbaric chambers to see if the oxygen would help heal and repair my condition. It did but both my legs and my bowling finger later had to be amputated to save me. I also never made it to the tournament.
As of today, I wear prosthetics and have to have my vehicle modified so I can drive. It took nine months to relearn how to walk and another year to relearn how to bowl without falling. I get sores on the back of my knee, my bones are usually always hurting and I have arthritis. Working is usually problematic due to how little I can be on the prosthetics. I sold my home after getting ill to travel in a travel trailer and I visited over 30 states. I eventually moved into an apartment in Texas where the community is much friendlier to those with disabilities than in Oregon. I’m happy here and am active in the community.
After the incident, I also found a partner who had started a family already and married them. The kids found my prosthetics amazing and the tricks I could do when I had a wheelchair they thought it was awesome. I perform exercises to stay fit and even though my mobility is limited, I try to improve my leg strength to reduce fall risk. I even have a kitten and try to keep my mind active.
The best description of it is that I am a young person who feels like he is twice his age. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but I make every day count and make the best of it.