When she was 15 Amrita Rai was admitted to hospital with bacterial meningitis in her brain. She went from worrying about her GCSE’s to fighting for her life.
The trainee primary school teacher at Sheffield Hallam University was hospitalised for six weeks while doctors fought to save her life without leaving her with serious brain damage.
Her parents first noticed there was something wrong with Amrita, now 21, when she stopped responding to them. When took her to A&E they were turned down by the hospital three times before she was admitted.
After she was diagnosed she was treated her with the Domestos effect. This is where they give patients a high dosage of medicine in attempt to wipe on the infection.
“They told me I had a 40% chance of survival and there was a high chance that I would be left with psychical and mental disabilities.”
After the treatment Amrita slipped into a coma which lasted for two weeks.
After she left the hospital she couldn’t walk up stairs, eat, or shower by herself. Her Mum took an extended leave from work to care for her.
“My family were so supportive and amazing they helped me get through it all. I couldn’t have done it without their help.”
Her parents first noticed there was something wrong with Amrita, now 21, when she stopped responding to them. When took her to A&E they were turned down by the hospital three times before she was admitted.
After she was diagnosed she was treated her with the Domestos effect. This is where they give patients a high dosage of medicine in attempt to wipe on the infection.
“They told me I had a 40% chance of survival and there was a high chance that I would be left with psychical and mental disabilities.”
After the treatment Amrita slipped into a coma which lasted for two weeks.
After she left the hospital she couldn’t walk up stairs, eat, or shower by herself. Her Mum took an extended leave from work to care for her.
“My family were so supportive and amazing they helped me get through it all. I couldn’t have done it without their help.”
“I felt really self-conscious. I was struggling with everything I went through. "
When she developed more strength she found that she didn’t have any fine motor skill. She had to learn how to write again.
Before she was ill Amrita was a gifted and talented student who was predicted all A*’s in her GCSE’S. But after her illness she was only allowed to take her English and Maths GCSE that year.
Her school were very supportive and suggested that Amrita retook the year. This meant she had to make new friends and get back into the school routine. “I felt really self-conscious. I was struggling with everything I went through. I haven’t really lost that feeling of self-consciousness.”
Amrita noticed that it was taking her longer to process information. But she was too scared to be assessed because of the stigma attached to people with leaning difficulties.
Her biggest concern was what the reaction from her teachers would be. “I didn’t want them to judge me if I did have one.”
Before she was ill Amrita was a gifted and talented student who was predicted all A*’s in her GCSE’S. But after her illness she was only allowed to take her English and Maths GCSE that year.
Her school were very supportive and suggested that Amrita retook the year. This meant she had to make new friends and get back into the school routine. “I felt really self-conscious. I was struggling with everything I went through. I haven’t really lost that feeling of self-consciousness.”
Amrita noticed that it was taking her longer to process information. But she was too scared to be assessed because of the stigma attached to people with leaning difficulties.
Her biggest concern was what the reaction from her teachers would be. “I didn’t want them to judge me if I did have one.”
Amrita always wanted to go into education and teaching and after passing her GCSE’S and A-levels she went to university to learn how to teach primary school children.
In her second year of university she was tested for leaning difficulties. She found that the medicine they had cured her also left her with an acquired form of dyslexia.
“One tutor even said that he didn’t know I had it in front of my entire class which was embarrassing because I didn’t want everyone to know.”
Amrita is now studying Primary Education at Sheffield Hallam University, and wants to specialise in special needs. “ I know how it feels to struggle with things and I can help.”
Now Amrita is focusing on the future: “I’m just lucky that I still have my life and I am so thankful and I should be more thankful.”
In her second year of university she was tested for leaning difficulties. She found that the medicine they had cured her also left her with an acquired form of dyslexia.
“One tutor even said that he didn’t know I had it in front of my entire class which was embarrassing because I didn’t want everyone to know.”
Amrita is now studying Primary Education at Sheffield Hallam University, and wants to specialise in special needs. “ I know how it feels to struggle with things and I can help.”
Now Amrita is focusing on the future: “I’m just lucky that I still have my life and I am so thankful and I should be more thankful.”