Student who survived meningitis twice in five months 'proud' to graduate (From Enfield Independent)

Student David Coppin who survived meningitis twice in five months 'proud' to graduate next month

12:31pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

A student who beat meningitis twice in five months is "proud" to graduate next month.

David Coppin, 22, of Lyndhurst Road in Edmonton, was rushed to hospital after he had been studying at Coventry University for two months.

His mother Lorraine had just arrived at his rented student home on Halloween in 2009 when her son collapsed.

He spent a week in a coma, with doctors initially believing he had come down with swine flu.

However, a doctor spotted a barely visible pin-prick rash on his neck and they swiftly began treating him for meningitis.

By the time he woke up, he had lost a stone-and-a-half. However, the 22-year-old was determined not to let the condition beat him and he returned to his sports management course in January. 

However, in March, his flatmate Harry Murray spotted the same symptoms and forced his friend to go to hospital.

Ms Coppin is certain her son’s story would have been a tragic one if it were not for his friend’s actions.

Doctors have branded him "extremely lucky" to have survived both bouts of the condition.

Mr Coppin said: “I try not to think about it. It was a dark point in my life, it was very depressing. I am just taking each day as it comes.

“What the ordeal has taught me is to appreciate life and live it.

“I am extremely lucky to recover from the disease twice and am grateful to everyone who helped me recover.

“Without them I would not be here today, so close to graduation and able to have fun with my friends and family.”

The pair are supporting charity Meningitus UK which aims to eradicate all forms of meningitis through funding research.

Despite the student’s ordeal, he studied hard and is counting the days to graduate in Coventry Cathedral with a 2:1 after his three-year course.

He said he is "proud" to be graduating and is in the process of applying for sports graduate schemes.

Ms Coppin is extremely proud of her son for having the willpower to complete his studies despite his serious knockbacks.

She said: “It is amazing that David came through fighting the disease twice without any problems such as brain damage.

“I get tearful when I think that very soon I will watch him graduate, especially as meningitis impacted while he was studying at university.

“It is remarkable and we feel so lucky as other people’s stories are not always so happy.”

The pair are determined to raise awareness of the disease as well as its symptoms – which include a headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, to help the fight against meningitis.

Founder of Meningitis UK Steve Dayman said: “It is miraculous that David twice survived the disease and came out without any after effects.

“It is brilliant to hear he has done so well with his studies despite what he has gone through.

"His story highlights that everyone needs to know the symptoms of meningitis, which can kill within four hours, as it can help save lives."