Katie Thompson

Hello there lovely intuitive friends!

This issue I am going to keep very simple. For the first time ever publicly I am sharing my near-death experience. It helped transform my young life and directed me onto the intuitive, creative journey I still explore today.

I have shared my meningitis story with millions of people at this point, but I rarely share just how transformative the experience was for me spiritually for fear of criticism or cruelty. I saved those sacred parts for the right moment, and the time is now.

As more of us struggle to remain hopeful as of late, I decided it is finally time to share this deeper spiritual layer of my experience in hopes it can help someone else stay strong through their own storms. I hope it provides comfort to those that may feel alone, or those that fear that the domineering violence of this world is all there is.

I can promise you there is so much more. The impossible comes true every day and I am living proof of it.

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My Choice, A Near-Death Experience…

It was 2005. I was an 18-year-old college freshman, a three-sport athlete with a bright future. I wanted to be a performer and major in theater. I loved to dance. I was also fighting for my life against bacterial meningitis. 

In short, I had a spinal cord injury, and was leaking spinal fluid out of a wound in my back while battling an infection that was torching my body from the inside out. I would scream in pain before I even opened my eyes. Then things started to take a harder turn.

My breathing slowed and my family was told to prepare themselves for the worst. I remember hearing bits and pieces of the conversations as I drifted in and out of a tortured consciousness. I remember being told that I might not make it through the night, and that I needed to move to ICU and be put on a ventilator. I begged to stay in my current room where I could keep my family by my side. If it was my time I did not want to die alone. 

I somehow made it through the night, but I was not in the clear as the infection still ravaged my body. Deep down one thing that I could only express through angry cries when I had the strength to do so was that I was hell-bent and determined to beat this immense challenge. I knew I had more to do, I just knew it. I wasn’t ready to go yet. Then I had an experience that confirmed so many things for me, and changed the trajectory of my life instantly.

I remember being in a room filled with light. There was a long conference table and I sat on the left. On the right side sat three or four tall beings of pure light. They had the outline of a human form, but they were just bright, beautiful energetic beings. I felt the presence of more beings around us as well. I now refer to them as my Guides.

They asked me what I wanted to do, and instinctively I knew what they were asking. I had something I planned to do while I was here on this Earth, and now was the time to choose: Do I stay on this Earth and continue on my mission? Or do I want to leave now? Or, do I choose to stay but also stay unaware of this agreement for the rest of my life?

Without hesitation I knew there was a duty I’d committed to and I dedicated myself to staying here and completing that mission. My Guides informed me that things would not stay the same here. I would return to consciousness a different Katie than I was before, I would be even more of the true me. I asked if certain people could join me, and my Guides explained, “It doesn’t work that way.” 

I knew I had to pursue my calling, whatever that would be. I decided to stay and do my “work.” 

I received a lot of visitors in the hospital during that time, which may or may not have been a good thing in hindsight. There was one in particular who I will keep anonymous, but I’ll never forget. I was not close to this person, but they insisted to come visit me despite her own health challenges. I was still very ill and pouring spinal fluid out of a drain placed in my spinal canal. It was so strong that fluid was even seeping out around the tube, doctors tried everything to fix the leak but it would not stop.

In my half-conscious state I remember the visitor praying and doing what some may recognize as “laying hands” or energy work. She left quietly when she was done. By that evening the spinal fluid leak that doctors had tried weeks of care and multiple surgeries to fix, suddenly stopped. I never saw that person again either.

When I came back to full consciousness after a few more days I realized that I had lost weeks, but I had a newfound determination to make this world a better place. I counted the ceiling tiles while on forced bedrest and set a career goal to become a meningitis advocate one day. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure no one else would have to suffer this way again. I wanted to help people. I wanted deeper connections in my life, to people, nature, everything. I wanted to make art, write poetry, and share the beauty in every single moment we are given with others. I wanted people to know there was more to this life as I now knew.

I also had to face the fact that my world was much different now. My physical appearance, abilities, education, social life, career goals, lifestyle, everything about me had been severely impacted. My dreams had to change. My family and friends had been devastated by the experience as well. I had so much of myself to rediscover, but I was desperate to get my life back to normal. 

I spent the next few years finishing college, starting my career, and spending time having fun and traveling. Eventually the effects of meningitis revealed their permanent scars that I still live with every day.

No matter what, I could never let that flame that had been lit during my experience go out. I would have the occasional conversation with folks about what I’d been through, but it took a few more years of recovery before I was ready to start sharing my experience. Even then, while I’ve shared the practical, scientific side of my journey as a meningitis advocate for years, it is only now that I’ve fully embraced my intuitive abilities that I finally feel brave enough to share this deeply personal part of my experience so publicly.

I was extremely fortunate to be shown a glimpse of what is beyond at such a young age, and to have been given abilities and these types of experiences my entire life. While it was confusing to realize not everyone could see, feel, or experience what I was experiencing, I knew with a sure heart and a sound mind that there is so much more to life and what’s beyond than we realize.

I am now an intuitive practitioner and dream worker. I lucid dream multiple nights a week and spend most of my time as a helper guide myself, comforting others who are going through trauma or transition. I’ve seen and helped others make their own choices, including those who decide to pass on. I witness people in their tenderest moments energetically and it’s a true honor to provide the compassion and comfort I was given in return.

In my waking life I now offer similar comfort to folks who come to me for intuitive readings. I am also a medium and have a special calling to connect with and witness figures of the past who may otherwise feel forgotten. I also love to work with my Oracle cards, dowsing rods, and create intuitive jewelry. It’s been a spectacular journey so far and I still feel like I am just getting started. I now know that through sharing my own spiritual journey and gifts that I may be able to help others find their own inner light. It is truly a blessing and a privileged responsibility I hold eternally sacred.

Thank you for witnessing my story and how I was called into working in my life’s purpose. If you would like to work with me on your own intuitive journey, I would love the opportunity to help you connect with your own inner knowing. Regardless, I hope you find something wonderful for yourself in my story, and may you take what you need and leave the rest. 

With love,

Katie T.