I hope that you will find at least some of the info interesting stay tuned I intend adding more info on a regular basis.

I feel I have a remarkable story to tell about how I fought Legionnaire’s Disease.

Two years ago, I was 34 and was working as Premises & Project Manager for a community development project in Galway. Being a heavy smoker, with a bad diet and working too hard in a stressful position led to my immune system being compromised resulting in my contracting Legionnaire’s Disease. I was critically ill for three months which began with misfortune as I crashed my car three times en route to hospital. Following this I spent seven weeks on a life support machine at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway Ireland (where I received excellent care) during which time all of my vital organs failed. During this time my family were equally traumatised and had indeed planned my funeral.

Unable to talk when I came off life support, I could only move my eye-lids and communicated by blinking once to say ‘yes’ and twice to say ‘no’.

During the past two years I have put all my energy into recovering which has involved learning to walk and talk and achieving full cognitive function. During this time I also organised a ‘Lazarus’ party to thank those who helped me on my journey.

I now have a fresh perspective on what constitutes quality of life and I have returned to live with my parents at the family home in Co Tipperary from where I have now returned to work part-time for Brainwave – the Irish Epilepsy Association.

I am now anxious to tell my story and to deal publicly with some of the issues people in similarly difficulties have to deal with such as memory loss and impaired mobility. As well as offering a perspective on dealing with critical illness, I have strong views on stress management, the psychology of ill health and the family impact of health trauma.

Best wishes

Deirdre Commins