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Vestingloop 2026

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Goal: €500.00

Today marks exactly two years since my world was completely turned upside down. I've never put words to it before, but two years later it feels like the right time.

What started as a few days of feeling unwell seemed innocent. “Just a bit of flu,” I thought. But slowly the symptoms worsened. I kept vomiting, my head felt like it would explode, and my neck became so stiff that movement was no longer possible. My speech deteriorated, and I began talking nonsense.

After being sent away twice from the out-of-hours GP clinic, an attentive colleague, M., took me to the GP the next morning. At that point, I no longer knew what was front or back – my body and mind were starting to give up.

It soon became clear that something serious was wrong. I was sent to the emergency department, neurology. The diagnosis followed: meningitis. Without prompt treatment, this can be fatal within 24 hours.

The fact that I am still here today, I owe to my attentive colleague M., who saw that things were not going well and kept on insisting. And to science, medical knowledge, and prompt treatment. I carry that realisation – and that gratitude – with me every day.

After two weeks in hospital, I was allowed to go home, but I was still tethered to an IV drip for another two weeks. And that's when the real battle began: rehabilitation. I seriously underestimated that process. It was a case of two steps forward, one step back, and in July I even suffered a relapse, which meant another night in hospital.

Ultimately, the Tolbrug rehabilitation centre helped me to reactivate my brain, allowing it to reshape itself. It showed me how resilient a person can be - and how indispensable good guidance and research are.

On 31 May, I'll be taking part in the Vestingloop. For many, it's a familiar event, but for me this year, it carries a deeper meaning. I'm grateful that I can take these steps again - something that unfortunately is no longer possible for many.

Would you like to contribute to hope for the future? The ItsME Foundation is committed to fighting brain (membrane) inflammation (meningitis and encephalitis) by funding scientific research and raising awareness. The foundation aims to promote faster recognition of symptoms, improve care, and save lives.

Every second counts. Support research and innovation in healthcare, so that care teams can act faster and better — and families get the chance to embrace each other again. Every pound makes a difference.

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