Leading Meningitis Charity Calls For Recognition For Carers

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 10 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The UK's longest established meningitis charity - the Meningitis Trust - is encouraging carers across the UK to speak out and earn the recognition that they deserve, as part of Carer's Week (June 8 - 14).

An incredible six million people in the UK provide unpaid care to someone they know and save the Government an incredible £87 billion each year.

Sue Davie, Chief Executive, at the Meningitis Trust says; "We were not shocked to learn that £87bn is saved through people looking after friends and family, as every day we hear how people have had to adapt their lives following meningitis - many giving up their career to look after a loved one".

For those who survive meningitis, some will be left with devastating after-effects including, brain damage, hearing and sight loss and where septicaemia (blood poisoning) has occurred, loss of limbs. These are all life-changing affects that make a huge impact on their life and the lives of those around them. For some, they will need full time care for the rest of their lives.

But it's not just the individual who has to live with the impact of the disease - their family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and even whole communities are left to pick up the pieces.

The Meningitis Trust understands the importance of supporting people affected by the impact of the disease. It offers practical and emotional support for life - to anyone who needs it. For 2008-2009 the Trust gave out £150,000 in financial support grants, which help with anything from respite care for family carers, to wheelchairs, speech therapy and specialist equipment.

Pearl Davey's son, Gregory, contracted bacterial meningitis when he was two weeks old. Gregory was left with severe after-effects from the disease, such as blindness, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and physical and learning difficulties. Now aged 17 he is totally dependent on others for his day-to-day care needs. Pearl, says; "Even a trip out in the car is difficult for us as two adults are required to look after Gregory in case he has any problems when travelling, such as an epileptic fit."

The Meningitis Trust provided the Davey family with a lifeline when they needed it most and now regularly help the family with financial support grants for respite care, enabling Gregory's parents to spend quality time with his other siblings.

Sue Davie from the Meningitis Trust adds, "There will always be meningitis in some form and there will always be people struggling to cope with its after-effects. We will be here for anyone who needs our help, for as long as they need it. If anyone wants to learn more about what we do and what we can offer, they can contact us on our freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 0800 028 18 28, or by logging on to www.meningitis-trust.org. We don't want people who have been affected by meningitis to suffer in silence - we would urge anyone affected by the disease to get in touch as we can help them".

About the Meningitis Trust

As many as 500,000 people living in the UK today have had either viral or bacterial meningitis. And up to 10 million adults in the UK - one adult in every four - knows of someone who has had the disease. The Meningitis Trust, a registered charity, helps and supports everyone struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis through the following professional free services:

" a freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline - 0800 028 18 28 " counselling " home visiting " financial grants to fund special equipment; respite care; therapeutic activities; special training; travel and accommodation costs " art therapy

The Meningitis Trust is the UK's longest established meningitis charity.

About meningitis

Meningitis is life-threatening and affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis and associated septicaemia (blood poisoning) can kill within hours and can affect anyone at any time. Those most at risk are children under the age of five, teenagers and young adults, and people over 55.

Symptoms commonly include fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, joint or muscle pain, drowsiness, confusion, and, in babies, a dislike of being handled, pale blotchy skin, an unusual cry and a blank staring expression. Both adults and children may also have a rash that doesn't fade under pressure (a sign of septicaemia). Symptoms may appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

Source
Meningitis Trust