Phoebe Greenwood's story

In December 2003 my daughter was 20 days old and had flu like symptoms I took her to the doctors and was told she had ear infection so we went home.

A few hours later she was a lot worse so I took her to the hospital and was told she had bacterial meningitis. She was very poorly after 11 days in hospital she was well enough to come home and I always believed my prayers were answered but was very scared leaving the hospital as it was all down to me from then on.

My daughter was an outpatient for 2 years as she had a low immune system where she basically had coughs cold all through winter times until she was 5.

My daughter became a very strong and clever little girl crawling by 5 months, walking my 9 months and having a conversation by 1 years old.

Doctors and health visitors was very pleased how well she had come on, she is 13 in November and has always been above average she always been a bit clumsy and could never do handstands or rolly pollies but I've always that was my fault as I didn't want her to hurt herself.

But for the last year she can't sleep. She tries her hardest, she will have a bath and get in bed to read by 8 o'clock - she’s not on her phone or watching tv. But every night for the last year or even longer she's still awake till gone 1. It's got to the stage where I couldn't take much more so I started to do some research and realised it could be down to meningitis.

I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday I just hope they take me serious as I really don't know what to do for her as she's always tried and is getting a bit moody.

I couldn't believe what I was reading about after effects years later as I did never get told any of this information and back in 2003 didn't have internet to find out the information I should have been told as my daughter has no memory of being ill as she was so young. If anyone has similar problems would be grateful for any advice.

Lysey Greenwood
September 2016