Home News Beaumont woman tells of 1950s meningitis nightmare

Beaumont woman tells of 1950s meningitis nightmare

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

A NORTHSIDE woman who contracted meningitis in 1956 at the age of 15 has had her story published in a new book launched by the Meningitis Research Foundation.  ‘The Book Of Experience’ features Irish members of the foundation sharing their stories about their experience of the disease and the impact it has had on their lives. Elizabeth O’Donnell, from Beaumont, tells her story in the book, which presents a unique picture of the way that meningitis and septicaemia have affected individuals, families and whole communities in Ireland and the UK. Recalling the onset of her illness, Elizabeth remembers it developing slowly over a period of three months. “Firstly pain in my chest, then general debility and finally headaches,” she says. “I tried to relieve the headaches by taking all the usual remedies until finally I just couldn’t go on and fell down. It was April 1956 and I was 15-years-old. “I can remember walking up the road and, on a short incline about 700 yards from my home, I just couldn't go any further and had to stop. “I stood and looked back and then turned to the direction I was going. There was no one in sight and I thought to myself: ‘how am I going to get to the top of that hill?’ “That is all I remember. My mother filled me in on the events of the next few weeks.” Elizabeth says her local GP tried several treatments without success and then called a specialist, Mr RG Vine. “Mr Vine came to my home and did a lumbar puncture by the light of a Tilby lamp,” she states.  “We didn't have electricity at that time but we did have a telephone.” Elizabeth was admitted to a ‘Fever Hospital the next morning.  “I was in a coma and extremely ill,” she says. “The doctor said it would be at least six weeks before he could say whether or not I would survive. “He said there could be total loss of any one or more of the five senses. “The treatment was severe but I didn’t talk about it and would never discuss it with anyone. “Luckily, medicine has advanced a lot in 50 years.” In her story, Elizabeth describes how she lived in a world of her own in the isolation ward. “I had a transistor radio and I enjoyed listening to music, and I liked to read,” she recalls. “I can honestly say that I never felt bored. I wasn't aware of how ill I actually was, and was months in hospital before I asked my mother one day: ‘what is wrong with me?’ “By Christmas of 1956 I could get around a room by holding onto furniture and in March 1957 I was released from hospital, but had to go back for check-ups every month, which meant a week-long stay in hospital.” As the years passed Elizabeth learned to cope and adapt to her situation with determination. “I could do pretty much everything,” she adds. “I got married and have two adult sons and live in Dublin. I love to travel and do so at any opportunity.” Meningitis Research Foundation Ireland manager Diane McConnell said: “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.” For more information on the ‘Book of Experience’, visit www.meningitis.org