Ruun was the best sister. Then illness struck.

By Falastin Mohamed, Augsburg Fairview Academy for Health Careers

Falastin's sister, Ruun

Ruun was my favorite sister. She was such an easygoing person. Her spirit was as light as a feather and the moment any person met her they fell instantly in love with her.

Every day as I wake up and try to go ahead with my life I think about my middle sister, Ruun, and the pain she goes through each day.

I don’t even know if she is okay because — immobile, unable to speak and confined to her bed — all she does is just look at me with a blank stare. I feel sad because I think I can’t help her in any way.

Ruun, who is 20, was stricken with bacterial meningitis six years ago shortly before our family moved from Nairobi, Kenya, to America. It began as a run-of-the-mill ear infection. But it soon became life-threatening and she was hospitalized.

Bacterial meningitis, which causes inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, is a major health hazard and can be lethal if not treated early or properly.

In a report released last year, the World Health Organization called the disease a “major public health challenge” in the African meningitis belt, which includes parts of Kenya and stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia. An estimated 700,000 cases were reported in that region. Roughly 70,000 died from the disease.

Approximately 3,000 cases of meningococcal disease occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. From 10 to 13 percent of patients died despite receiving antibiotics early in the illness. Of those who survive, a CDC fact sheet states, an additional 10 percent have severe after-effects, including mental retardation, hearing loss and loss of limbs.

My sister’s condition worsened to the point where she fell into a coma. Doctors informed us that Ruun had water in the head and required surgery to save her life. After the surgery, my sister was left paralyzed and suffers from constant seizures. She cannot move without the aid of a wheelchair and remains in bed most of the day.

Ruun was hospitalized a few days after we landed in Atlanta, Georgia. We were happy when we found out we were able to take her home. I was excited at first but then felt sad because I knew she would no longer be the same.

Much changed. Ruun could no longer talk, walk or eat on her own. She drinks milk through a tube. All she can move is her left hand. I used to read books at home to Ruun so she wouldn’t get bored. But it pained me whenever I came in the room and saw her staring at the walls.

Ruun was my favorite sister. She was such an easygoing person. Her spirit was as light as a feather and the moment any person met her they fell instantly in love with her. Her kindness was unmatched by anyone I have ever met. I used to do everything with her, like going to the movies and eating out.

I remember the last time my other three sisters and I played with Ruun, shortly before she fell seriously ill. We played tennis outside our house in Kenya. That was the last happy moment I spent with her. It is an unforgettable moment and will forever be in my heart.

Sometimes I feel like I used to take Ruun for granted. I realized my mistake. I want to tell her how much she meant to all of us and how much we loved her. But I know there won’t be a response. It hurts so much that it makes me want to cry. But tears don’t fall out anymore.

I’m starting to believe when people say everything has its own end and that nothing lasts forever. It’s true because happiness is one of those things. I used to do everything with Ruun, but now I can’t because she is in bed and can’t move.

It hurts when I think about the trouble my mom goes through when she is dressing Ruun or putting her in her wheelchair. Whenever my other three sisters and I go to amusement parks or shopping malls, I feel guilty to think of having fun when my dear sister is lying in bed. I sometimes feel the world is unfair when a person as kind and as gentle as Ruun has to suffer.

At night, when I go to bed, I hope to see her walk or maybe talk one day because we never know what the future holds. The doctors said she might get better but it will take time. Ruun still lies in bed. All I can do is just pray to god and hope to see her get better.