On May 18th, 2010, in my 52nd year, I was diagnosed with Strep A Streptococcus bacteria – better known as flesh-eating disease. I was in intensive care for over a month in Kingston General Hospital. I lost my left leg from the hip – a hip disarticulation – in order to save my life.
Further amputations were needed due to serious circulatory problems which resulted in the loss of my left arm below the elbow, right leg below the knee and my fingertips on my right hand.
Today, I live a very independent life. I use an electric chair in my home, which allows me to have complete freedom. I have learned to walk with the help of prosthetics and custom-made crutches.
I can do most day-to-day tasks on my own, but I also have a supportive wife that fills in where I cannot. We try to live every day not as if it is our last, but as if it is our first. We encourage you to do the same!
I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to hear you speak at KGH at the end of January. I think you are an amazing person. I was wondering if there was a video taken from your presentation that day? I went home that day and shared what I could with my husband with tears in my eyes. I told him I would have loved for him to be able to hear you speak so I thought I would ask if by chance it was recorded that day.