Sheri Purdy
ASMP Advocate

In the summer of 1999, my daughter, Amy, came home early from work, feeling unwell with a temperature of 101°F and extreme fatigue. Initially thinking it was just the flu, I left to meet my husband, who was out of town. A few hours later, I received a call from the hospital saying that Amy was in critical condition and might not survive the night. Doctors gave Amy a 2% chance of survival. 

After 72 hours in the hospital, Amy was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. It was a shocking and unimaginable experience for my husband and me. What initially seemed like a mild case of the flu had progressed so quickly, and we were left in disbelief. The disease affected her circulatory system when the infection led to septic shock; both of her legs had to be amputated below the knee, she lost both kidneys along with hearing in her left ear, and her spleen had to be removed. Two years later, she received a kidney transplant from her father. 

Before Amy’s diagnosis, I had never even heard of meningococcal meningitis. Now, I share our story to ensure that other parents don’t have to receive a life-changing phone call like we did. I encourage parents to speak to their child's healthcare provider about the vaccinations that may be right for their teen or young adult.