CHARLOTTE CONSTABLE
Charlotte's page
Fundraising for Meningitis Research Foundation
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
As some of my friends may know, November 2008 was a month that my family can't forget. My 19 year old big sister was in her second year at Exeter and had just passed her driving test. One morning before I went to school, my mum answered a call from the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital telling my parents to leave immediately because Victoria was in intensive care. At the time we had no idea what was wrong with her and the extent of her illness. Unfortunately, Victoria's diagnosis was delayed because A&E staff believed her to be high on drugs due to her aggressive and disorientated behaviour - in fact this was just the behavioural symptoms of bacterial meningococcal meningitis strain Y (one of the rarest types). Doctors told my parents not to hold out hope and that even if she did wake up, which was unlikely, she would probably be brain damaged and deaf. We didn't give up and neither did Victoria. Doctors called her recovery a miracle and said the only way they thought she'd be leaving the hospital was in a body bag.
Victoria is now 26 with a degree under her belt and working in London. From the outside you wouldn't be able to tell the struggle she went through but meningitis can leave long term emotional and psychological effects. Victoria in particular has suffered with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Every time I hear stories about meningitis victims I thank god my sister wasn't one of them. I know so many families weren't as lucky as mine because around 1,000 people a day die from the disease. I hope that one day meningitis will be a long forgotten disease. To help make that a reality, MRF fund vital research, campaign to make vaccines freely available, raise awareness of the symptoms and provide support to families who have been affected by meningitis. They do incredible work and that's why I can't wait to wear my purple MRF running vest on October 25th.
Any donations at all would be so so amazing. I'll be running through Portsmouth dreaming of a meningitis free world and a really big roast lunch and a monster bag of minstrels (ehem please Dad & Mum ehem). THANKS FOR READING xxxxxxxxxxxx
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
As some of my friends may know, November 2008 was a month that my family can't forget. My 19 year old big sister was in her second year at Exeter and had just passed her driving test. One morning before I went to school, my mum answered a call from the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital telling my parents to leave immediately because Victoria was in intensive care. At the time we had no idea what was wrong with her and the extent of her illness. Unfortunately, Victoria's diagnosis was delayed because A&E staff believed her to be high on drugs due to her aggressive and disorientated behaviour - in fact this was just the behavioural symptoms of bacterial meningococcal meningitis strain Y (one of the rarest types). Doctors told my parents not to hold out hope and that even if she did wake up, which was unlikely, she would probably be brain damaged and deaf. We didn't give up and neither did Victoria. Doctors called her recovery a miracle and said the only way they thought she'd be leaving the hospital was in a body bag.
Victoria is now 26 with a degree under her belt and working in London. From the outside you wouldn't be able to tell the struggle she went through but meningitis can leave long term emotional and psychological effects. Victoria in particular has suffered with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Every time I hear stories about meningitis victims I thank god my sister wasn't one of them. I know so many families weren't as lucky as mine because around 1,000 people a day die from the disease. I hope that one day meningitis will be a long forgotten disease. To help make that a reality, MRF fund vital research, campaign to make vaccines freely available, raise awareness of the symptoms and provide support to families who have been affected by meningitis. They do incredible work and that's why I can't wait to wear my purple MRF running vest on October 25th.
Any donations at all would be so so amazing. I'll be running through Portsmouth dreaming of a meningitis free world and a really big roast lunch and a monster bag of minstrels (ehem please Dad & Mum ehem). THANKS FOR READING xxxxxxxxxxxx
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.