Meningitis Research Foundation is launching The Book of Experience online at www.meningitis.org, which presents a unique picture of the way that meningitis and septicaemia have affected individuals, families, and whole communities in Ireland and the UK.
One member, Patrick Perceval from Westport, writes about how he contracted bacterial meningitis at the age of 45. Perceval talks about the progression of the disease and the long recovery afterwards.
Every year, there are some 250 to 300 cases of meningitis and septicaemia, the blood poisoning form of the disease, in Ireland alone. This means that two deaths may still occur every month and a further 56 people may be left with severe after effects such as brain damage, hearing loss, and amputations yearly. Meningitis remains a deadly disease despite progress with vaccines over the last 20 years. However, on a global scale meningitis remains one of the major killers of children and progress has been much more limited
Meningitis Research Foundation Ireland manager Diane McConnell commented: “We are so thankful to our Irish members who have shared their stories of both loss and recovery. These stories illustrate the true impact this disease has had over the last 20 years more than any statistic could.” Explore The Book of Experience on www.meningitis.org
