Running for a common goal
Running for a common goal
Tuesday 5 September 2023 marked another International Day of Charity – a day aiming to raise awareness and provide a common platform for all charity related activities.
To mark this day, I wanted to share my own experience of meningitis and how it lead to me running the London Marathon back in April.
I was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis (MenB) in summer 2018 and have since felt compelled to raise awareness of the disease and support the great work done by Meningitis Now.
Raising awareness of a positive outcome
Although I was the one diagnosed, it was actually my friends and family who were struggling the most. Some even mentioning the high mortality rate and levels of potentially life-changing, long-term problems associated with the disease. From my own research, whether via the internet or word of mouth, the narrative surrounding meningitis is definitely more doom and gloom than one of optimism.
The experience of MenB was terrifying for me, and I really wanted to raise awareness of a more positive outcome. Hopefully providing some hope and comfort to others.
I also wanted to raise some money for Meningitis Now, to give something back to all those who supported me since day one of my diagnosis. So I decided to run the London Marathon in aid of the charity.
It’s a Marathon, not a sprint
By now the Marathon has come and gone and, although I didn’t break any records this time around, I’m really grateful to have been able to turn an awful experience into an incredible weekend.
Taking on a physical challenge like the Marathon is certainly the toughest thing I’ve done, but the reasons for doing so, along with the obvious health benefits, made it all worthwhile. I also managed to raise over £3,400, which I know will make a huge difference to the charity as it works towards a world where nobody loses their life or is left with life-changing after-effects following their own diagnosis.
Continuing my journey
I’ve since made a full recovery, finished university with a First class degree and have a full-time job at Barnett Waddingham. When I say full recovery, I suppose I’ll never know if it’s affected me long-term and if I’m honest, that’s the hardest part. But I’ve decided it’s not something worth worrying about and I try to just live life to the fullest. It’s certainly given me a renewed outlook and allowed me to appreciate the good moments more.
It’s also acted as a useful reminder not to take life too seriously and brought me closer to those around me. Thanks again to all who helped and supported me at the time.
Encouraging others to share
I’m keen to encourage others to share their own experiences as I believe the support it can provide is invaluable to others going through the same. Throughout my recovery, some of the personal struggles shared through Meningitis Now resonated and helped me relax a bit more about my own situation.
I’ve shared more on my experience here but if anyone has any questions, please pop them in the comments.
Otherwise, please check out Meningitis Now and all the great work it does.
