Newport teen bounces back from killer disease (From South Wales Argus)

Newport teen bounces back from killer disease

9:30am Monday 1st December 2008 in Gwent news By Chris Wood, Reporter

FIVE months ago, Lewis Sharpe's life hung in the balance as he was diagnosed with a strain of potentially deadly meningitis.

But thanks to his quick-thinking parents and early treatment, the 14-year-old is now fully recovered and back on the football pitch.

Lewis of Pillmawr Road, Malpas plays for Newport County Academy and Newport Schools. He is also a keen rugby player and boxer.

His world was turned upside down on June 12 this year when he returned home from school with a headache. After complaining that he could see bright lights, he was rushed straight to hospital and diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.

The life-threatening infection is transmitted by coughing or in the saliva of those who carry it in a harmless state.

His dad, Tesco warehouseman Julian, 38, said: “It all happened so quickly and it was frightening how quickly it took over his body.

“It looked like there was nothing wrong with him asleep in the bed, yet he was so unwell. We just had to keep believing all would be okay.”

The youngster spent a week at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff. He was on a ventilator for three days.

He then spent a further four weeks in the high dependency ward at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.

He lost two stones and as doctors pumped his body full of drugs to combat the virus, Lewis worried that his dreams of playing sport and becoming a P.E. teacher were over.

His dad added: “He was down and thought he may never get his strength back.

“But he is a big Liverpool fan and someone suggested reading Ian Rush’s autobiography as he fought meningitis at five.”

The Llantarnam Comprehensive School pupil used this as inspiration and returned home in July. He was told to get plenty of rest and his dad says “he hasn’t stopped eating since”.

Lewis still sees a consultant for after-effects such as concentration problems, tiredness and mood swings.

He returned to school in September and while he has had to cut down on the amount of sport he plays, he is back starring as a striker for Newport schools.

Mother Claire, 36 and sister Jodie, 12 have also been supporting him. The youngster says he wants to work in sport- preferably as a professional footballer.

Inspired by Ian Rush’s battle

Lewis will today meet his inspiration, Wales and Liverpool legend Ian Rush. They will meet at the Leckwith Athletics Stadium, Cardiff, to talk about their experiences with meningitis. Rush, who became Wales and Liverpool’s record all-time scorer nearly didn’t make it past his fifth birthday. He spent two weeks in a coma after contracting Meningitis and doctors initially feared he had suffered permanent brain damage. The meeting was organised by the Meningitis Research Foundation to help raise awareness of the disease.