I am grateful for meningitis.
No, I do not feel that way all the time. Yes, it’s taken a lot to even get me to a place where I can truly feel that way. However I can honestly say that I am genuinely grateful for most of the impacts that bacterial meningitis has made in my life.
I am grateful for the amount of compassion I have been able to receive, witness, and share. I am grateful for the dedication of hard-working healthcare professionals who research, spend hours away from their loved ones, and give so much of themselves to help people like me live a better life. I am grateful for the many families, advocates, and organizations working around the globe to help eliminate this disease and provide support to those affected. I am grateful to still be here working with them today.
I can’t forget either that I am one of the lucky ones. Too many people have been taken from their loved ones by this disease. These families are my why – why it’s so important to me that I use this gift I’ve been given at such a young age to help others avoid the same heartbreak.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many, many things that I wish I didn’t have to lose or deal with because of bacterial meningitis. For what peace I do have there is a steep price to pay, and I’m reminded of it every single minute of every single day.
If I had to do it all over again to get to where I am though, I can confidently say that I would. My life is not a tragic one. My husband and family are the biggest gifts I could ever receive, and to get chance to love them has been my biggest dream come true.
Meningitis also gave me the gift of courage to pursue the kind of life I always dreamed of, and to become the type of person I always wanted to be. Every day is a work in progress for all of us, no matter what we’ve been through. I am fortunate that I could turn my hardships into opportunities, and can give with the fullest gratitude in my heart in everything I do. For all I’ve been through I am here, still fighting, and it is a blessing and a privilege I don’t take for granted each and every day.
I’m sharing posts reflecting on the impacts bacterial meningitis has made on my life for the next few weeks leading up to March 2, 2025, the 20th anniversary of my journey. For more information about bacterial meningitis talk to you or your child’s doctor, visit https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/bacterial-meningitis.html and meningitisprevention.org.
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