My son had VM, exact strain etc. remains undiagnosed, 3 years ago, he is now 7 turning 8.

He was diagnosed very quickly and hospitalised and treated with IV antibiotics for 14 days. He had all the appropriate follow ups, and was cleared as having no long term damage. He is a happy and healthy child, and is an average to upper-achieving student, so no worries there. We recently had a medical assessment for emigration purposes, and the doctor who performed this became somewhat concerned about his inability to, 1. walk on the outer edges of his feet, 2. walk on the inner edges of his feet, and 3. walk on his heels. (All of which my 4 year old daughter can do!). He was reluctant to expand on his concerns, other than to express that he felt it may be due to come neurological deficit caused by the meningitis, but not serious enough to do anything about it. I have since discussed this with a family doctor, who was pretty off hand and dismissive, and also teachers, who felt it was not an issue.

My concern is that he is an enthusiastic participant, but not a very successful one, at any kind of sporting or physical activity - and this is mainly due to his lack of co-ordination and general "ungainliness". He seems unable to hold his feet in certain ways that other children have no problems doing. I have always assumed he just wasn't gifted with a "sports gene", but am now starting to wonder if there is some fall out from the Meningitis. He has recently started karate, which we did thinking it was helpful for co-ordination and balance issues, but he is struggling so much to get the routines and co-ordinate the "katas". He attends 3 lessons a week, and is missing gradings over children who go only once a week, purely because he just doesn't get it! Understandably he is becoming disheartened. I am unsure whether to start booking doctor's appointments to explore this, as I don't want to give him the idea there is something wrong with him, or an excuse to quit.

Has anyone else had a similar experience, or anyone with more medical knowledge got any gems to share please?

[Vespalover]

I went to a neurologist who had me put a set of glasses on which housed a camera which tracked th center of my eye. They then showed on a big screen a line of blips that travelled across the screen up to down, Left to Right, Right to Left and down to up. They started it slow and then sped up. They measured if my eyes tracked the blips and when I caught sight of them. On my right side I was not looking at the blip I was tracking it behind and joilting. They put a point on the screen to show me exactly where my eyes had been looking. I had a signficant deficit on my right side. The blips got to the point where they moved so quickly that I had to stop.

Then I was on what looked like a walking machine with a TV infront. I again had to look at a dot but I had to stand on one leg and hold the rails then let go, then do it with eyes closed. Did this again with other leg. Then with closed eyes they had me balance for as long as I could. The platform measured my balance somehow. There was another test with headphones on testing hearing My hearing and balance where within acceptable limits. Mt tracking was not.

They discovered that I had a fundamental deficit after my VM in tracking up/down and on my right side. I knew there was something in the results because I could no longer track my computer screen if I scrolled. It made me nauseous to scroll and I had to close my eyes. I also found driving incredibly fatigueing. Both of which were essential activities to my job (not to mention my life) and needed to be improved. They gave me various tracking exercises which I had to do everyday 2 times a day.

Maybe they can test your son physically and produce some measurements which will show a deficit. Then that deficit can be targeted by exact exercises to increase his ability as they did with me. Mybe coordination exercises?

I know my disability after VM was not like your sons but I hope this helps. Good luck Sanderson. I'll be thinking of you and your son.

[kel80]

Lack of co ordination and concentration is an after effect I experience ..but it's very had at my age to get any help or recognition. For this ... Vm has left with with many after effect I also have feet issues and spinal for this I often think although with no evidence this was caused by the numerous lumbar punctures xx hope all gets better soon xx

[Missy2012]

Kel80

I was wondering what type of feet issues are you having.

[anniebear]

I personally would want 've have him referred to an occupational therapist and have some test done. Even if just for your peace of mind. Has he always been fine physically in other ways? Walking on time? Sitting? Riding a bike at the average age etc etc