An amputee says she feels less isolated since she started helping other people who have lost limbs.
Tracy contracted sepsis and had to have her lower limbs amputated after she got a strep A infectionEight years ago Tracy Ralph felt exhausted but thought she was just suffering from a cold.
But she was struggling to breathe and went to see her GP who diagnosed her with pneumonia, which had developed from a strep A infection, and it was a nurse whoTracy was then diagnosed with sepsis and hospital doctors put her in a coma. At one point her relatives were told to say their goodbyes.Here, in her own words, she talks about coming to terms with life as an amputee and how she has used her experience to help others.
My sepsis wasn't picked up quickly enough and my organs were beginning to shut down, so they had to put me in an induced coma.There still isn't enough awareness ofNow my local hospital in SouthendI'm very passionate about raising awareness of the symptoms and I do a lot of talks, for the NHS and different organisations, because it can be so dangerous and it progresses so quickly.
The boys are very accepting of the fact it takes me longer to do some things, like go upstairs, and they are very aware of people with disabilities.It's not always rosy, I do have my days where I'm exhausted and I will choose to be in my wheelchair that day. Sometimes I can't use my prosthetics because its icy outside or perhaps I've got a sore.But the good days outweigh the bad. I'm still really active - I try and do a triathlon every year and recently climbed the O2.
I just want to help people who are going through such a difficult time because I know exactly how they feel.Tracy says Christmastime is a mix of emotions for herI've almost forgotten what my life was like before and I try not to dwell on it.Christmas is a real mix of emotions for me. I don't let it get to me, but its always at the back of my mind. It's always there but I have to move forwards.
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