A YOUNG dance teacher died of meningitis just hours after falling ill.
Kelsey Davidson, 26, passed away last Thursday after contracting the deadly disease just a day earlier.
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And the dancer’s grieving family, from Christchurch in New Zealand, have since been handed antibiotics to prevent them from also getting meningitis.
Following her death, her parents Suzy and Clive and brother Fraser wrote: “Taken from us after a day’s illness, aged 26 years. Kelsey – our sparkle, our joy, our all the world.”
Kelsey, who founded Radical Step Dance Studio, had been teaching classes at the studio just days before she passed away.
Kelsey would have been celebrating her 27th birthday today.
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In a birthday message to his late cousin, Lachlan Woods-Davidson urged others to make sure they never “pass up” the opportunity to spend time with family.
He wrote on Instagram: “Happy Birthday cousin Kels. Life works in interesting ways; just as we’re making progress on bringing the family together you have to leave.
“I never thought I could be so thankful for having to eat Weetbix for every meal, after blowing my months budget to come visit a couple weeks ago.
Make sure that if you ever get a chance to go visit family, you don’t pass it up. You really never know when it will be the last time you get to be with them
Lachlan Woods-Davidson
“You’ll always be a source of positivity for me and an amazing female role model that, if one day I have daughter, I hope I’ll be lucky enough that she’ll have even an ounce of your confidence, spirit, independence and happiness.
“So guttered that I’ve lost one of my number one supporters and the ultimate wing-woman. Enjoy the powder cuzzy.
“Make sure that if you ever get a chance to go visit family, you don’t pass it up.
“You really never know when it will be the last time you get to be with them.”
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Friends of Kelsey have also paid tribute to her through an online guest book.
“Kelsey sparkled,” one person said, referencing the message Kelsey’s parents wrote.
Another added: “She achieved so much with her dancing. We all had many fun times and laughter with Kelsey.”
“A great role model to all the kids at Radical Step including my daughters. She brightened everyone’s day. Truly classy person,” a third wrote.
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Kelsey taught a combination of jazz, Modern, Latin and contemporary dance techniques.
Her website reads: “Kelsey has a love for the outdoors with her main passion being snow skiing, which leads her to explore the unique parts of New Zealand and exotic locations around the world.
“All of Kelsey’s choreography is stamped with her unique and diverse style of modern dance.
“Kelsey prides herself as a promoter of our new and dynamic city of Christchurch.”
Symptoms of meningitis
Meningitis can affect anyone but it’s most common in babies, teens and young adults.
It’s often mistaken for being flu and in some cases, people can seem hungover.
But the longer you leave it, the more at risk you become of things like blood poisoning – which can be fatal.
You can get the Meningitis B vaccine at Boots for £220.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C or above
- being sick
- a headache
- a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but this will not always develop)
- a stiff neck
- a dislike of bright lights
- drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- fits (seizures)
You need to seek medical help ASAP.
Even when people do survive meningitis, it can leave them with life-long issues such as hearing or vision loss, epilepsy, amputations and memory problems.
Kelsey’s studio has been flooded with rave reviews about the late dancer’s teaching style with one student writing: “Kelsey is a talented and inspiring teacher who nurtures each individual.”
And another wrote: “Kelsey is an amazing teacher.”
Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
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It is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by meningococcal bacteria and viral meningitis.
If it is not treated quickly, meningitis can cause life-threatening septicaemia (blood poisoning) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
Around 3,200 people a year get bacterial meningitis. One in 10 die and many more are left with life-changing disabilities.
More on meningitis
Viral forms of meningitis are less common and rarely life-threatening, but can have lifelong effects.
Infections peak during winter when bugs spread more easily in confined spaces.
A funeral service for Kelsey will be held at 10am this Wednesday.
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