ELSIE Beattie was just nine months old when she contracted pneumococcal meningitis.

Her parents rushed her to the West Cumberland Hospital from her Whitehaven home where she received treatment for several days before being transferred to Newcastle’s RVI.

The left side of her body was not responding properly and she was suffering from convulsive fits.

After 10 days Elsie returned home, but it took many months before she could walk and use her arm again.

It's touching stories like Elsie's, which highlight the bravery of survivors and their families on World Meningitis Day – which is marked today.

It also continues to raise awareness of the life threatening disease.

Elsie's dad, Andrew Beattie, a former Haven rugby star, said the only lasting result of his daughter having meningitis in 2015 is that her arm sticks out a little occasionally.

Speaking about his daughter's courageous fight, he said: “She’s absolutely amazing. You wouldn’t know except for picking up toys or when running her arm sticks out a little – that’s the only thing that you notice.”

Elsie is four now and doesn’t really remember anything about her ordeal. Andrew and Elsie's mum, Diana Beattie, ensured they acted as quickly as possible when they suspected something was not right. He said: “We were straight on the phone and then into the car immediately. The hospital was only two minutes away.”

It is crucial that action is taken straight away if meningitis symptoms are suspected. Andrew said: “People worry about the rash thing but that is the end point. Elsie didn’t have the rash. If children are doing things that they normally wouldn’t that’s when to act, especially if it’s a tiny baby - they can’t say how they are feeling.”

He said that Elsie’s temperature was over 40 degrees and she was making strange noises. Her eyes had glazed over. He said: “If people think things are not normal they should go. Keep an eye out for warning signs first.”

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of UK charity Meningitis Now which is supporting the day, said: “We know that life after meningitis is tough for many people and we want to use World Meningitis Day to showcase the bravery of meningitis survivors and those who have lost a loved one.”

Meningitis Now has a range of support services, including financial, practical and emotional support for people of all ages affected by meningitis.

World Meningitis day today highlights the bravery of survivors and continues to raise awareness of the life threatening disease.

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of UK charity Meningitis Now which is supporting the day, said: “We know that life after meningitis is tough for many people and we want to use World Meningitis Day to showcase the bravery of meningitis survivors and those who have lost a loved one.”

One such family that has been touched by the disease is the Beattie family from Whitehaven.

Elsie Beattie was just nine months old when she contracted pneumococcal meningitis in 2015. Her parents rushed her to West Cumberland Hospital where she received treatment for several days before being transferred to Newcastle’s RVI. The left side of her body was not responding properly and she was suffering from convulsive fits.

After 10 days Elsie returned home, but it took many months before she could walk and use her arm again.

Elsie’s dad Andrew Beattie said that the only lasting result of his daughter having meningitis is that her arm sticks out a little occasionally. He said: “She’s absolutely amazing. You wouldn’t know except for picking up toys or when running her arm sticks out a little – that’s the only thing that you notice.”

Elsie is four now and doesn’t really remember anything about her ordeal. Mum and dad Andrew and Diana Beattie ensured they acted as quickly as possible when they suspected something was not right. He said: “We were straight on the phone and then into the car immediately. The hospital was only two minutes away.”

It is crucial that action is taken straight away if meningitis symptoms are suspected.

Andrew said: “People worry about the rash thing but that is the end point. Elsie didn’t have the rash. If children are doing things that they normally wouldn’t that’s when to act, especially if it’s a tiny baby - they can’t say how they are feeling.”

He said that Elsie’s temperature was over 40 degrees and she was making strange noises. Her eyes had glazed over. He said: “If people think things are not normal they should go. Keep an eye out for warning signs first.”

Meningitis Now has a range of support services, including financial, practical and emotional support for people of all ages affected by meningitis.