CONNACHT RUGBY STAR George Naoupu has told TheScore.ie about the close call his sister-in-law had with meningitis and the efforts both he and his wife are making to raise awareness of the deadly disease.
Sina Fanene was in university, in New Zealand, studying psychology when she was struck down with bacterial meningitis. Her family believed she was suffering a bad dose of the flu but, within 48 hours, she was admitted to intensive care, and fighting for her life, at Dunedin Hospital.
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Naoupu said, “Sina was into her sports and was a great rugby player. She was only 25 when it happened [in 2005] and was fit, young and healthy. It goes to show that meningitis can affect anyone. It was very tough on her family.”
Sene Naoupu, George’s wife, takes up the tale. She commented, “Sina contracted bacterial meningitis, which affects the brain and the spinal cord. Doctors tried to trace it back and though they were not 100% on it, it appears that she got it through a shared water bottle while she was at rugby training.
It took a couple of days before the symptoms came on but, when they did, she was rushed to hospital. By that stage she couldn’t talk. She spent 10 days in the I.C.U and, after that, was released to another hospital where she spent several months in rehabilitation. She had to learn how to read, write, speak and walk again.”
Sene Naoupu says her sister is ’80 to 90%’ recovered and has got her life back on track in New Zealand. Both Sene and George, once the back-row secured a secure playing contract with Connacht, were determined to raise funds and awareness for ACT for Meningitis. The charity was set up in 2011 by Siobhán and Noel Carroll, who lost their daughter, Aoibhe, to meningitis in 2008, to highlight the signs and symptoms of the illness.
Speaking to TheJournal in April of this year, Siobhán Carroll said: “We were really shocked about the lack of information out there about meningitis. We felt there was a major need to get the correct information out there to stop another family going through what we were going through.”
The back-row declared, “As rugby players, our focus is often on that day’s training, the next game or targeting cups and climbing league standings. We often take for granted just how good we have it. Helping ACT for Meningitis is just a small thing I can do to give something back to a very worthy cause.”
Connacht rugby star on the meningitis scare that rocked his family
CONNACHT RUGBY STAR George Naoupu has told TheScore.ie about the close call his sister-in-law had with meningitis and the efforts both he and his wife are making to raise awareness of the deadly disease.
Sina Fanene was in university, in New Zealand, studying psychology when she was struck down with bacterial meningitis. Her family believed she was suffering a bad dose of the flu but, within 48 hours, she was admitted to intensive care, and fighting for her life, at Dunedin Hospital.
Naoupu said, “Sina was into her sports and was a great rugby player. She was only 25 when it happened [in 2005] and was fit, young and healthy. It goes to show that meningitis can affect anyone. It was very tough on her family.”
Sene Naoupu, George’s wife, takes up the tale. She commented, “Sina contracted bacterial meningitis, which affects the brain and the spinal cord. Doctors tried to trace it back and though they were not 100% on it, it appears that she got it through a shared water bottle while she was at rugby training.
Sene Naoupu says her sister is ’80 to 90%’ recovered and has got her life back on track in New Zealand. Both Sene and George, once the back-row secured a secure playing contract with Connacht, were determined to raise funds and awareness for ACT for Meningitis. The charity was set up in 2011 by Siobhán and Noel Carroll, who lost their daughter, Aoibhe, to meningitis in 2008, to highlight the signs and symptoms of the illness.
Speaking to TheJournal in April of this year, Siobhán Carroll said: “We were really shocked about the lack of information out there about meningitis. We felt there was a major need to get the correct information out there to stop another family going through what we were going through.”
The back-row declared, “As rugby players, our focus is often on that day’s training, the next game or targeting cups and climbing league standings. We often take for granted just how good we have it. Helping ACT for Meningitis is just a small thing I can do to give something back to a very worthy cause.”
For more on ACT for Meningitis and their upcoming events, you can check out their Facebook page or website.
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act for meningitis Awareness Connacht fundraiser George Naoupu GIVING BACK Rugby sene naoupu sina fanene Siobhan Carroll