Hi my name is Russ, i am Inge-Hopes husband and now full carer.

Inge-Hope has recently been in. A Coma with Meningitis & Encephalitis. The Coma was 14 days, then ICU care before being transferred to a ward and then home.

She survived against many odds and it has been hard on us all, especially my Inge-Hope.

Inge-Hope lost muscle mass as in a coma for 14 days. She has had to learn everything from the beginning again: using her hands, fingers, all limbs, drinking, eating, washing, dressing (washing and dressing still needs much help) and more.

she is a strongly driven person, who was a nurse for 35 years and she explains that her nursing brain and her love for me & her sons Cameron & Jack have driven her hope to survive, and be Inge-Hope again.

Inge has found great support in a meningitis charity and is also having to access and contact some services independently.

We understand that things take time, we are in the early stages of having to have a wheelchair lift installed, but its going to take sometime. Services are stretched and assessments needed.

Its also that time of year and its winter and there are stages to be gone through.

Currently for Inge to leave the house, in her wheelchair - as steps not possible. Our lads have to lift the wheelchair up the steps. With my back problems, I am unable to do it by myself.

That being the case, if our lads are not here, we are unable to leave the house.

Inge-Hope has appointments coming up, physio, medical & neurology, etc and its a major factor to her recovery.

I have found a solution to the problem, and it is to have a:

wheelchair platform lift outside to get Inge up to pavement level

aThis will make things so much easier for us as a family and for Inge to access the appointments she needs.

Funds Will Help with:

1. The area being prepared and made ready for lift, With total help and support, from the company where the lift could come from. Support from now until installed. Ongoing.

2. railings fitted for safety.

3. Additional handles for support when transferring from wheelchair to car. (She is now able to take small steps and can transfer very slowly as muscles mass is day by day coming back). She has a way to go!

4.. Purchase of the lift and installation.

5. After care & support.

Any funds over will help:

patients who enter ICU - a purchase of male & female wash items and deodorant, etc. It is really needed for all patients. A big bag full of mixed items, that Inge&I very much want to donate. Inge’s idea when talking to the team. (Inge is hoping to organise it herself and is currently looking at how, she has no knowledge of this page.

Meningitis Now - Nurse Led Helpline & Resources - they have been invaluable to Inge and her understanding of her condition and the reality of her condition, impact and future recovery .

They gave been Supporting our family too. We really had no idea of what to expect when she woke. The Doctors are amazed with her progress, and complimentary of her grit and determination.

’a medical miracle’.

Inge-Hope has come so far. We have had amazing support from all over the world throughout the very dark times and each change in her condition and illness.

I know how much it has impacted on Inge. its all overwhelming at times. The death of her Father and the circumstances surrounding it are vague for Inge, memories are dripping in, however her September Brain as she calls it, is protecting her for now.

She is also realising her impact on people, the help she so easily gives and how people from boarding school RAAS, through her pre-nursing, Nurse training at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington W2, and nursing career. Her teaching & Head og School role

in FE, lastly her creation of a charity where Inge managed to find a flat above a shop in Ventnor, her driven desire to paint, fill holes and make it safe for clients and staff was so admirable.

She set it up to support Mental Health & any addictions, supporting people to get back to education, training and /or employment. Or just attending groups, so they could be with other service users who needed the help. She is shy about this, however Inge herself and charity the charity too won Isle

of Wight awards.

To get up the 6 steps is the challenge and worry for Inge and I, lads too.

This is currently the barrier to access servuces and keep going. I understand that it’s the festive season, any donation would help us achieve this hope and access to the outside world.

Any donation helps, thank you for reading, sharing and any donation will gratefully be received.

Wheelchair use is going to be for sometime. I know my wife, She will be overwhelmed and embarrassed I have asked for help. But it’s needed.

Thank you for all the support in the last 6 weeks. Really overwhelmed.

Russ Voysey

Friend & boyfriend boarding school & kept in touch .

Partner 2003, Husband 23/3/2004

my first love!