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Mum Forgets How to Walk After Meningitis; Fights for Education
16 Mar
Summary
- Vicki Purdey lost the ability to walk after viral meningitis.
- Two students died from meningitis at University of Kent.
- She advocates for mandatory meningitis education in schools.
Vicki Purdey, 37, lost the ability to walk after contracting viral meningitis, an illness she initially mistook for the flu. After her condition rapidly worsened, she was diagnosed with viral meningitis in April 2024. Tragically, this comes as two students have died from meningitis during an outbreak at the University of Kent, with eleven others seriously ill.
Purdey, who now relies on a wheelchair, is campaigning for mandatory meningitis awareness education in schools and universities. She believes that recognizing the symptoms early could prevent similar devastating outcomes. Her personal journey has been isolating, impacting her role as a mother and wife.
She emphasizes that this knowledge empowers individuals to seek medical attention promptly and potentially help friends. Purdey is actively involved in recovery through physiotherapy and plans to speak at school assemblies. She also supports Meningitis Now, a charity that provided her with a wheelchair, and hopes her story raises awareness for both meningitis and functional neurological disorder (FND).
Her ambition for 2026 is to positively impact others by sharing her experience. She encourages young people to "empower yourselves with knowledge" regarding potential health risks. Purdey advises seeking immediate medical attention if severe symptoms arise, referencing resources like GPs, 111, and Meningitis Now for guidance. She offers condolences to families affected by the recent Kent outbreak.
