Quadruple amputee says losing limbs was 'the best thing that’s ever happened' to him

dailystar.co.uk:

lost all of his limbs and half of his face after contracting a vicious infection has said that the loss of his arms and legs was the “best thing” that’s ever happened to him.Alex Lewis was a stay-at-home dad when he began suffering from what he initially thought to be “man-flu”.It turned out Alex had contracted Strep-A, a bacterial infection that quickly evolved into septicaemia and toxic shock syndrome, an illness that can cause the body to release toxins that damage body tissue in skin and on limbs.The Brit was rushed to hospital where the decision was made to amputate both his feet and arms, and he also required a skin graft for his lips.But reflecting on LadBible’s ‘Minutes With’ series on his life following his devastating illness, Alex was positive about the effect it has had.“Limb loss is by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me, because it altered my life completely,” he said.“Limb loss has given me access to things that I never thought I would ever do or dream of doing.“Whether it’s cycling in the desert, whether it’s kayaking around Greenland, I roll out of bed every day thinking I’m lucky.”In fact, the amputee suggested that he had not been well even before he had lost his limbs.He confessed: “I was a heavy drinker slash alcoholic in reality.

My unit intake was massive. I was drunk pretty much all day everyday.”The dad went on to recall the day that his health had deteriorated rapidly, remembering that he woke up one morning confused, and barely able to dress himself.Thankfully, Alex was able to stumble downstairs where he found his partner and step-dad, who were shocked at his appearance.“My skin was turning purple, and my eyes were popping out of my head, I was a complete mess.