My brush with death from a deadly MRSA infection that raged throughout my body taught me that I am so much stronger that I could have ever believed. It is not just medicine that saves you, but your mind and spirit also, your will to live and survive. The night that my temperature soared to 104.5 degrees, my body went into septic shock and multiple organ failure due to sepsis from being infected with MRSA during ankle surgery - I knew that I was dying and I was angry inside. I could no longer move, speak, open my eyes or communicate in any way and I became a prisoner of my body. I was angry because at 45 years old, I was too young to die and still had so many things that I wanted to accomplish and do. By my sheer will and force I pulled myself back from the brink of death as I finally received the injection of the right antibiotic that pulled me back to life. I was stunned the next day when I gained consciousness and realized that I was still in the hospital, but still could not move, open my eyes or speak.  I knew I was going to live and I was given a second change. That second change was my formulating the MRSA Survivors Network and becoming a champion for this disease. I never want anyone to go through the pain, suffering and sheer terror that I experienced and I was truly lucky to be alive. I have dedicated my life to providing change, raising awareness, educating and proving support. We have so much more inner strength than we know - never doubt yourself.

Jeanine Thomas -Founder - MRSA Survivors Network