Gold medallist lost leg due to meningitis
THE mother of Paralympic gold-medallist Jonnie Peacock is supporting a Thornbury charity in raising awareness of meningitis.
The 19-year-old sprinter, who broke the Paralympic record in the 100m in London, almost lost his life to meningitis and septicaemia when he was five.
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Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock, centre, with family members including mum Linda Roberts
Despite being warned to expect the worst Jonnie survived but lost his right leg.
His mother Linda Roberts is a member of national charity Meningitis Research Foundation and wants other parents to know how important it is to be aware of the symptoms of the disease.
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She said initially she had dismissed Jonnie's illness as the same illness his sisters had suffered.
"But over the weekend his condition deteriorated quickly, he was delirious and then covered in a bright red rash so I wrapped him in his duvet, bundled him in the car and rushed to hospital," she said.
"Once they diagnosed meningococcal septicaemia we were advised to say our goodbyes as his condition was critical and he was induced into a coma to allow his body to fight the infection. After four days in hospital the doctors said he was going to survive but they weren't sure how he would be affected physically and mentally. His brain survived but he lost his right leg below the knee and has had four further amputations since his first operation as his bones have grown. Everyone needs to be MeningitisWise and know the symptoms as it might just save a life."
For information about symptoms visit www.meningitis.org.
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