A hard hitting play on the reality of living with meningitis, takes to the stage at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre in April.
The Bouddicae is a production based upon the monologues of five mothers reflecting upon their experiences of caring for a child with special needs.
One of the stories is told in the words of Sarah Redmond from Northampton, whose son Thomas was diagnosed with streptococcal B meningitis and septicaemia in 1997 when he was just 12 days old. Thomas, now 16, is mostly wheelchair bound, has severe learning difficulties and requires constant personal care.
Sarah says, “Despite his difficulties, Thomas is a very chatty young man with a wonderful personality and so I’m very proud of him and how far he has come on his journey. I hope as many people as possible come to see the play as it offers the chance to gain a unique and powerful insight into what life is really like for those of us affected by disease and disability. We want to raise awareness and, maybe, alter someone’s perception.”
Entrance to the play is free, but donations from the evening will be split between the chosen charities of the mothers the play is based on. Sarah is hoping as much money as possible will be raised for national charity Meningitis Now, which saves lives by funding vaccine and preventative research, reduces the disease’s impact through awareness and rebuilds futures with dedicated support. The charity has supported Sarah and her family and last year funded a specialised trike for Thomas.
Other conditions included in the play are Down’s syndrome, autism, spinal muscular atrophy and a rare inherited disorder called leukodystrophy.
Meningitis Now was formed in 2013 by bringing together Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust, founders of the meningitis movement in the UK.
Abi Floyd, Community Fundraiser for Meningitis Now, said “We’re really grateful to Sarah for selecting us as her chosen charity, and we really hope there is a big audience for what promises to be a remarkable and heart-warming play. All donations – big and small – will make a real difference to our fight against meningitis.”
The Bouddicae was originally devised by Dr Andrew Williams, a Community Paediatrician who previously treated Thomas, as well as being medical historian, and playwright. It was part of a collaborative project with final year drama students at the University of Northampton.
The students subsequently formed the Perceptive Minds Theatre Company; a Theatre in Health, aiming to raise awareness of what disability entails for the individual as well as family and carers.
The performance takes place on Tuesday, 8 April at 7.30 pm at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham which seats 1500 people. No ticket is required; just turn up on the night for free entry.
For more information about the show, visit https://www.facebook.com/