Girl struck down by meningitis honoured for seven-year attendance
A girl from the Coseley who was struck down by meningitis as a baby has proved her full recovery after achieving 100 per cent attendance over seven years at primary school.
Melanie O'Neill, aged 11, was diagnosed with the disease aged just three months old. Her parents Andy and Alison feared they might lose her and they were also concerned over possible side-effects following her survival.
But the young girl made a full recovery and since joining Wallbrook Primary School, in Bradleys Lane, Coseley, has not missed a day of class.
As a reward, the school has given her tickets to see Sleeping Beauty starring Joe Pasquale at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
She joins RSA Academy in Tipton next month.
Mr O'Neill, aged 55, of Julie Croft in Coseley, said: "We're so proud of her. Considering what she went through as a child it is quite incredible her attendance levels at the school are so good.
"We encourage her to enjoy school, but we certainly don't wrap her in cotton wool, its pleasing she has done so well. It would be wonderful if she could continue her attendance at her next school."
Melanie was only three months old when she was struck down by meningitis.
Mr O'Neill said: "My wife had been shopping and she'd been asleep, she then continued to be sleeping when she got back. She opened up her eyelid and immediately saw something was wrong. We took her to hospital and were told she had meningitis.
"At such a young age it was frightening, we thought we almost lost her.
"I'm just so pleased she has recovered so well, without any problems."
While Melanie attended every class at the school, her elder sister Eleanor, aged 16, also had good attendance at the same school, missing only three days.
