In November 2008, Austin native Jamie Schanbaum was in her first year at the University of Texas, enjoying everything that comes with college life — new friends, challenging classes, and the excitement of independence. Then, in the span of hours, her life changed forever.
“I went from feeling completely healthy to feeling like I had the flu with body aches, fatigue and chills; it quickly became unbearable. Within hours, I was too sick to move and lying in a hospital bed, fighting for my life.”
Jamie was diagnosed with a meningococcal bacterium, the cause of meningitis, which quickly led to sepsis, a severe blood infection that can shut down circulation. Doctors gave her just a 20% chance of survival.
Though she survived, Jamie lost both legs below the knee and all of her fingers. Her mother, Patsy, shared a painful realization: they both believed Jamie had been vaccinated, but she hadn’t. Pediatricians caution that meningococcal vaccinations, usually given during teenage years, are easy to overlook — and Jamie’s story underscores the devastating consequences of missing them.
(Source: Austin American-Statesman)
A Preventable Tragedy, A Powerful Lesson
Jamie’s story is a reminder that meningitis can be prevented with vaccination. Yet many families, like the Schanbaums, mistakenly assume their child is fully protected when they are not.
Her journey of survival and resilience has since inspired a broader movement of advocacy, awareness, and now, a major cultural spotlight.
From Austin to the Screen: Pretty Hurts
Jamie’s story has been brought to life through the new Lifetime movie Pretty Hurts, now available on Amazon Prime.
The film stars fellow Austinite Haylie Duff, best known from 7th Heaven and now a parent herself. Duff said she was drawn to the project because of its impact:
“I was interested in being able to spread the word without being too preachy. Once I started hearing and learning about stories, especially about Jamie’s, I became even more invested.”
Raising Awareness Through Advocacy
The film, sponsored by GSK, was featured at a special Los Angeles premiere as part of the Ask2BSure campaign, which educates families about meningitis risks and the importance of vaccination. The campaign emphasizes that even when teens are vaccinated against meningitis strains A, C, W, and Y, they may still need additional protection against meningitis B.
A Message of Hope and Prevention
Jamie Schanbaum’s story is one of courage, resilience, and advocacy. While her life was forever changed, she continues to use her voice to protect others from the same fate.
Her journey — now amplified through Pretty Hurts — is more than just a story of survival. It is a call to action: ask your doctor, check your teen’s records, and make sure they are fully vaccinated.
As Jamie says:
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
