A MAN who lost his hands and legs to meningitis has shared the heartbreaking story of his time in intensive care to inspire others with his "never say I can't" attitude.
Mike Davies, 62, contracted bacterial meningitis on Christmas Eve 2017, soon after moving to Brighton from Manchester with his wife, Julie.
He spent 10 weeks in intensive care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where his hands and legs were amputated in order to save his life.
Mike said he did not know much about what was happening when he was in hospital.
He said: “I was mostly unaware of what was going on, but my family had it tough.
“My wife Julie and my grown up son, Rory, were told multiple times that I might not make it, so they should say goodbye.”
Fortunately, Mike survived and would spend months learning to walk on prosthetic legs at Queen Mary’s University Hospital in Roehampton.
He said: “I was determined at the outset to be the best version of me that I could be. To go to rehab and work hard at everything, so that I could be as independent as possible. To surprise people, and to lift as much of the burden as I could from my family.”
Over the years, Mike has adapted to life after limb loss and can now do many of the things he did before – including driving.
“You should see people’s reaction when they see someone with no hands or legs get into the driver’s seat!”, he said.
He has now released a series of free online videos that offer practical tips and advice for amputees.
The videos, titled Meningitis and Me, also discuss the mental challenges of life after meningitis and coping with depression.
Rob Dawson, director at Meningitis Research Foundation, said it is important to remember the life-changing impact of the disease.
He said: “Mike is an inspiration to us all, whether or not we have suffered limb loss. We know that his story, and the other stories featured on our new Meningitis and Me platform, will provide invaluable advice to people living with amputation and their families.”
The videos, which are free for all to see, can be viewed on Meningitis Research Foundation’s website here: www.meningitis.org/meningitis-and-me
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