When you’re stuck in bed all day, your life reduced to physio exercises, short trips to a coffee shop, or just being perched somewhere while everyone else is living theirs, it’s not just the pain or exhaustion that gets to you—it’s the sudden lack of purpose.
Before my illness, I identified as someone busy, productive, and resourceful. My days had structure, meaning, and momentum. Then suddenly, all of that disappeared. That loss of daily purpose, I think, was the hardest part of my recovery. The physical challenges were intense, and the emotional strain was real—but nothing quite compares to the feeling of your identity being temporarily stripped away.
Finding My Purpose
For me, purpose began to return the moment I shared my story. Appearing on the Neil Prenderville show and talking openly about my experience was a turning point. From there, my goal became helping others—finding a way to turn my recovery into something meaningful. Writing became my daily anchor. The simple act of getting up in the morning with something to do gave me focus, a sense of direction, and a renewed sense of self.
Trying to Save the World (And Failing, Hilariously)
But I wanted to do more than write. I wanted to help people in a real, tangible way. So, naturally, I thought: I’ll just save the world. I reached out to hospitals, tried to set up support groups, and, in my head, I was single-handedly solving every problem in sight. Reality check: I was running on too little fuel to keep that up. Let’s just say my superhero cape was a little too heavy for my energy tank at the time.
Even the coffee shop trips felt like major expeditions. Perched on a chair with a cup of coffee, I’d pretend I was conducting important field research, while really just watching other people live life. Eventually, I realised I needed a plan that was sustainable—a way to help that wouldn’t leave me utterly exhausted after 20 minutes.
Reaching Out to the Meningitis Association
That reflection brought me back to my experience with meningitis. It made me reach out to the Meningitis Association in the UK, where the organization has a strong presence and is working to develop more support here in Ireland. After a series of Zoom calls, emails, and heartfelt conversations with some of their wonderful staff, I eventually had a Zoom catch-up with Caroline and Claire. And they asked me: Would you be an ambassador?
I was absolutely honoured. Only two days ago, I finally submitted my story to them, and I realised just how much this represents a purpose for me—both now, while I’m not working, and long-term.
What I’ve Learned
We all want to help others. We all want to do the right thing and be kind. Maybe this is my purpose. My writing has always been a little self-deprecating and empowering for me at the same time—but now it feels like I’m doing more than just sitting in bed, doing physio all day. I’m taking my experience, my recovery, and turning it into something that I hope could help someone else. And that, for me, makes all the difference.
Takeaways from My Journey
- Purpose matters. Even when recovery or illness limits what you can do physically, finding a sense of purpose—big or small—can transform your day-to-day experience.
- Sharing your story can help others. Speaking out, whether through writing, speaking, or advocacy, gives meaning to your experiences and can inspire or support someone else.
- Small actions are powerful. You don’t need to solve everything or run on full energy—every little effort to connect, help, or create counts.
- Community makes a difference. Whether it’s an organization like the Meningitis Association, friends, family, or fellow survivors, connecting with others provides support, guidance, and perspective.
Get Involved
If my story resonates with you, or if you’ve been affected by meningitis in any way, I encourage you to connect with the Meningitis Association. Sharing experiences, seeking support, or simply learning more can make a real difference. You can find out more here https://www.meningitis.org/
