Meningitis survivor raises awareness about the potentially deadly brain bug
17.01.11
A MAN who was left blind and deaf after suffering meningitis has shared his frightening experiences to raise awareness about the potentially deadly disease.
Arthur Ellis, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis five years ago after he went to his GP suffering from an intense pressure in the forehead.
"I collapsed in his surgery doorway," he explained. "Apparently I was administered emergency drugs and taken immediately to A&E and then intensive care. I was in there for at least four weeks.
"I was beginning to shut down my functions. My family was told to expect the worst, but I survived. I lost my sight and my hearing. I had to learn to walk again after losing my balance."
The national charity Meningitis UK has launched a winter campaign to highlight how cases of the disease peak in the cold weather.
The charity's message is that people of all ages are at risk from the brain bug, which can kill in less than four hours.
Mr Ellis was 59 when he was hit by the disease in January 2006 and even after he was discharged from intensive care at the Kent & Sussex Hospital he faced a nine month recovery in various hospitals learning how to walk.
It was during his rehabilitation that he developed hallucination due to little-known eye disorder Charles Bonnet Syndrome – a condition which gives those with visual loss to suffer 'complex visual hallucinations'.
"It was terrible, when I was in my wheelchair I felt like I was starring over a rocky bay and whichever room I moved in to a different view of the same frightening image appeared," he said.
"I was aware this was not real but nevertheless these images just would not go away. There were various other images such as Victorian dolls coming to life and different animals.
"This syndrome was at the time very unknown and I was advised not to mention the hallucination too much for fear of being diagnosed with another condition. Some helpful nurses and the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) wised me up to it."
Mr Ellis takes tablet to control the syndrome and has been learning Braille.
"It is unlikely that I will regain my sight but I have in other ways made slow and steady recovery," he said. "My recovery consisted of a lengthy hospital stay followed by intensive rehab to learn to walk again.
"I still haven't recovered full control of my balance. I also went through vigorous psychological tests which were positive. The illness did not have a detrimental effect on me in that respect."
Mr Ellis has also been left completely deaf in one ear and has limited hearing in the other.
He said he was happy to raise awareness about meningitis, saying: "If I had known more about the disease I would have seen my GP a lot earlier," he said. "The symptom came about over three days and it was only when I was in excruciating pain that I did something about it.
"I had heard of the name meningitis before but until it was explained to me that was what I had I really didn't have a clue I was going through this illness."
Mr Ellis has been slowly rebuilding his life and has exhibited his artwork at Tunbridge Wells library. He said his daytime carer helps him take walks and regain his balance.
He said: "Unfortunately I did not produce artwork for a living, this was strictly a sideline. However since my illness my artwork has flourished and I have had several solo and joint exhibitions both locally and in London. It is now one of my major pastimes and has opened up an entirely new direction."
Meningitis UK chief executive and founder Steve Dayman added: "It's a dangerous misconception to think meningitis can only affect babies and young children. Knowing the symptoms and getting swift treatment can mean the difference between life and death."
For more information and to request an awareness-raising campaign poster call 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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