Rita Shalom

I had just finished a HND in Business with Travel & Tourism and it was time for a holiday before I packed my bags again to start a 4 year degree course in Birmingham University.

The holiday was fantastic of what I can remember and what I have been told until on about the 12th day of a 14 night holiday. I became very ill and could not stand the sunlight and then I just fell and could not feel my legs. I was rushed off to a hospital in the Algarve and before you know it I went into a coma.

My parents were called and were flown over since my condition was critical and nobody knew whether I would survive or not. My condition stabilised but not for long and I was flown to a hospital in Lisbon. It was there we found out that I had contracted meningigoccal meningitis. This initially left me paralysed from neck downwards however I am now paralysed from hips downwards.

No doubt we all have been through trials and tribulations but I have held my head up high and got on with my life.

I went back to univeristy completed a course, found a job, got married and have a beautiful baby girl. Life must go on.