Skelmersdale’s ATC chief is recovering in hospital after contracting meningitis

Oct 9 2008 by Michael Byrne, Skelmersdale Advertiser

Jo Henderson Teaser

THE commander of Skelmersdale Air Training Corps is recovering in hospital after contracting meningitis.

Flt Lt Jo Henderson was taken to Fazakerley Hospital after falling ill.

Specialists diagnosed her with bacterial and viral meningitis and put her on a course of antibiotics.

Flt Lt Henderson, 35, said: “It was a really scary experience being diagnosed with meningitis. You hear a lot about children with meningitis but not adults.

“I had woken up on Thursday morning with a really bad headache and I had this horrendous stabbing pain behind my eyes.

“I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow so my partner John rang the GP who told him to bring me to the hospital immediately.

“I had been in the hospital more than 24 hours before I was officially diagnosed with meningitis, although they had started treating me for that condition in case I had it.

“Then I was worried about my two-year-old son Adam and other members of the family, as well as the cadets.”

Jo has been commander at Skelmersdale ATC for 10 years having previously been involved with the squadron at Crosby for eight years.