Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman
Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman | |
---|---|
Born | Charlotte Lucy Cleverley-Bisman 24 November 2003 Waiheke Island, New Zealand |
Nationality | New Zealander |
Known for | Face of campaign against meningococcal disease |
Website | www |
Charlotte Lucy Cleverley-Bisman (born 24 November 2003[1]) is a New Zealander known as the face of a New Zealand campaign to encourage vaccination against meningococcal disease after contracting and surviving severe meningococcal sepsis.[2] She was nicknamed "Miraculous Baby Charlotte" by her fellow New Zealanders as a result of making headlines worldwide after recuperating from a series of life-threatening complications. She is the daughter of Pam Cleverley and Perry Bisman.[3]
Meningococcal disease in New Zealand
In 2004, New Zealand was in the thirteenth year of an epidemic of
Disease onset
On the morning of 17 June 2004, Cleverley-Bisman vomited and acted distressed; her parents assumed this to be due to anticipated
On the second day in hospital, her doctors predicted that, if she lived at all, Cleverley-Bisman would need to have at least both legs and most of her left hand
Cleverley-Bisman's parents helped her case to be publicised on national media, raising other parents' awareness of the virulent speed of the disease, and highlighting the need for a vaccine.[4] Donors gave money to defray the Cleverley-Bismans' expenses, beginning with NZ$1000 from the Jassy Dean Trust, set up in 1992 in the aftermath of another girl dying from meningococcal disease.[8]
Recovery
After two and a half months at Starship Hospital, Cleverley-Bisman was well enough to move to the Wilson Home in Takapuna, North Shore City, for three months of rehabilitation. Wriggling had kept her muscles relatively fit; she was able to roll over, and even put a cup to her mouth without the use of prosthetics. She returned to her home in Waiheke in November, just in time to celebrate her first birthday.[5][9]
As part of her rehabilitation process, she played with toys and exercised on a daily basis. She took her first solo steps using prosthetic legs and crutches in September 2008,[10] and no longer needed crutches by October 2009.[11]
In December 2008, then aged five, Charlotte won TVNZ's inaugural Attitude Spirit award.[12]
Later life
By 2010, Charlotte had outgrown her prosthetic limbs and the family made a plea for help.[13] In August 2011, Charlotte and her parents made a fourth trip to Camp No Limits, a camp for children with limb loss that also includes the parents,[14] where she received physical therapy and learned to walk on new limbs.[15] According to The New Zealand Herald the father stated that "the process would be an annual event, given Charlotte is still growing and therefore growing out of her prosthetics in a matter of a few months."[16]
During her 2013 stay at Camp No Limits, Charlotte mentored other young meningitis amputees.[17] By the age of 13, Charlotte took up several sports, such as surfing, skydiving and boxing.[18]
Public awareness and support
During Cleverley-Bisman's hospital stay, donors had given hundreds of gifts and around NZ$60,000 for her care; however, expenses were such that this would last less than a year.[19] Following her hospitalisation, a trust was set up in her name. The primary mission of the trust was to provide for Cleverley-Bisman's life necessities, and the secondary goal of the foundation is to increase awareness of meningitis/meningococcal disease.[20]
Cleverley-Bisman's illness and the surrounding interest generated much exposure of the issue of immunisation for meningococcal disease,[21] and her case has been cited as helping spur immunisation drives. As a result of her case, her father has helped publicise the availability of vaccination to help ensure that as many people are vaccinated as possible.[22]
References
- ^ Vaimoana Tapaleao (17 February 2015). "Plucky meningococcal survivor Charlotte plans action weekend". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ Johnston, Martin (3 July 2006). "Vaccine campaign beating meningococcal epidemic". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland.
- ^ Cameron, Amanda (12 June 2005). "Disease baby's dad lashes vaccine 'hate-speech'". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ a b Johnston, Martin (11 July 2004). "Tracking down a killer disease". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ a b c "The story of 'Baby' Charlotte – a meningococcal survivor. As told by her father, Perry Bisman". CharlotteCleverleyBisman.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
- ^ a b Bisman, Perry (28 June 2004). "Family's diary of a nightmare". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
- ^ Walsh, Rebecca (3 July 2004). "Baby Charlotte's limbs amputated in marathon operation". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ "Over $2,000 raised for baby Charlotte". The New Zealand Herald. 1 July 2004. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ Walsh, Rebecca (25 November 2004). "Baby Charlotte comes home". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ "Charlotte's News". CharlotteCleverleyBisman.com. September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Evans, Julianne (15 October 2009). "Charlotte walks for the first time at US camp". Waiheke Gulf News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
- ^ "Disabled achievers honoured". ONE News. Television New Zealand. 3 December 2008. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
- ^ Tapaleao, Vaimoana (5 February 2011). "Charlotte's plea: Help me walk again". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ "Camp No Limits". No Limits Foundation. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ Tapaleao, Vaimoana (16 August 2011). "High-tech legs a step closer for Charlotte". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ Tapaleao, Vaimoana (15 August 2011). "Charlotte comes home with set of legs". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ Gardner, George (21 August 2013). "Camp 'was worth it'". Auckland NOW. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ Leask, Anna (13 May 2017). "Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman: 'Boxing has opened my mind'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- Television New Zealand. 10 August 2004. Archived from the originalon 25 November 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ "Charlotte Lucy Trust". CharlotteCleverleyBisman.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Student's Poster to Promote MeNZB Message". Partnership Health Canterbury. 18 February 2006. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007.
- Television New Zealand. 8 July 2004. Archived from the originalon 13 October 2007.