Doctor inspired by her battle with meningitis starts work at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Abigail Hensley on her elective placement at a hospital in Sydney, Australia (Image: Archant)

Struck with meningitis as a teenager, the 25-year-old has just started her career as a doctor in Norfolk - inspired by the treatment she received at the age of 13.

In 2003 Dr Hensley was one of two students at Diss High School to contract meningitis and septicaemia. Whilst most people would want to forget such a traumatic event she was inspired by her experience to study medicine at the University of East Anglia.

The inspirational woman has now graduated with a medical degree and has started work at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Twelve years ago Dr Hensley, who lives on Northumberland Street in Norwich, realised she had meningitis after reading a leaflet at school.

'There was another child at school who had meningitis and the symptoms were described to us. I remember reading through the leaflet. I felt really unwell and had all the symptoms.'

She was rushed to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and was promptly treated before recovering from the life-threatening disease.

She said: 'I'm so lucky, I have some hearing loss but I'm so lucky to be healthy.

'For my parents it was really scary and everyone was so lovely, it was a life changing event.'

Dr Hensley, who always had an interest in science did a bout of work experience at West Suffolk Hospital which confirmed her dreams of becoming a doctor.

She said: 'It took me two years to get into university, I did more work experience to strengthen my application before I started in 2009.'

For Dr Hensley it was a very long and hard six years, undertaking a masters research degree in Clinical Sciences in her fourth year and being hospitalised with a severe kidney infection in her third year.

Her mother Jane Eaton said: 'Abigail has always been a hard worker, paying attention and excelling at her school work.

'All Mothers are proud of their children but to go through what she has and to be where she is today is very special for both of us and she has had a lot of support from all of the family.'

Dr Hensley will undertake two foundation years at the hospital before specialising and undergoing more training.

She said: 'It is amazing, I love it, it's going really well. The hours are really long but I love the job so you don't mind being there.

'The hard work has definitely been worth it especially when a patient says thank you for your work and that is what I did when I was in hospital. All the doctors I met while in hospital and during my training have been inspirational.'

Dr Hensley's strength of character is itself inspiring and she urged other people to follow their dreams.

'If there is something you really want to do or persue, keep aiming for it. If you don't do it no one else can do it for you. It might be a long road but stick with it.

'Sometimes take a step back, you don't have to do everything in one go.'

Mrs Eaton said: 'Abigail was extremely lucky that she was not affected long term by this disease and it proves that prompt treatment can be effective and allows the patient to lead a perfectly normal healthy life.

'On this occasion something good has come out of a bad experience and I know that she will make a fantastic Doctor. I am so proud of her.'

Do you have an inspiring story? Email kate.royall@archant.co.uk