I Caught COVID-19 & Lost My Limbs | BORN DIFFERENT

AS fireworks lit up the Colorado skies for Fourth of July celebrations, Dani was just beginning a fight for her life. On a road trip with her boyfriend Ricky and sister Mariana, Dani had been suffering with chest pain. When she reached hospital, doctors found that pre-existing heart conditions meant that her body was struggling to cope with Covid-19 and she was going into heart failure, respiratory failure, kidney failure and septic shock. As she needed urgent specialist treatment, they immediately airlifted her to the closest major trauma hospital, but during the flight Dani's "heart stopped beating." She remembers paramedics surrounding her just before she went unconscious: "I just remember them talking to me... and then next thing you know I didn't hear them any more." Dani was in a critical condition when she landed and doctors fought to save her life, putting her on life support and preparing her family "to say their goodbyes." Miraculously, after a week in a medically-induced coma, Dani survived - but during the coma, her blood had not been reaching her limbs. Doctors had to make the difficult decision to amputate her legs and her hands and as Dani faced up to her new reality, she knew there were months of gruelling rehabilitation ahead of her. She met the challenge head on: "I couldn't see life like this at first, but I also thought 'I'm a strong person and I feel like I can do this’." Two years on from her traumatic ordeal, Dani is still adjusting to life with prosthetics and continuing to work hard on her mobility and strength. She attends physical therapy weekly and goes to her local gym as often as she can, after owner Mike offered to help her adapt exercises to push her new body to new limits. And Dani is also keen to get back to her successful career as a hair and makeup artist - she has been practising at home on her dad's hair, coming up with techniques that enable her to use clippers and brushes again. The culmination of years of determination to regain her independence is not lost on Dani, as she told Truly: "I feel like I'm me again" - and Ricky and Mariana testify to the courage she has shown to get to this point. Ricky puts her incredible recovery down to the fact that "Dani is an extremely strong person - if anyone could do this, it's definitely Dani" and Mariana's belief in her sister is just as unwavering: "I just knew that this wasn't going to stop her."

Follow Dani:
With thanks to Scotts Valley Gym:

Credits:
Videographer: Elie Khadra
Series Producer: Kim Nguyen
Producer: Tom Buckman
Casting Producer: Liz Bland
Editor: Renee Wong

Click below to follow your favourite Truly shows on social media!

TikTok:

Snapchat:

Facebook:

Instagram:

WhatsApp:

[brandiehammond]

The gym owner, is what a compassionate business owner is all about. Stepped in and offer to adjust his gym to accommodate a member who had a life altering change.

[AndreaFuelts-rs]

I am a stylist at Dani’s salon; we all saw her go through this and marveled at her strength and courage. She is truly beautiful, inside and out!

[JohnDoe-zzon]

Mike the gym owner has a heart of gold. Need more men like him for sure.

He didn't have to do anything, but he did.

This lady got heart.

[reilorenzo]

My heart sank watching this... I really need to take more time to humble myself and reflect on the blessings in my life. I wish her an excellent recovery.

[christinakiser]

Beautiful soul! She took a heavy life blow and didn’t stay down!!! ❤

[brittany]

She is not just a survivor, She is an inspiration. Her strength is beyond measure. ❤

[lenacheney]

Shes beautiful inside and out and i think its amazing her boyfriend stayed by her side

[JustRaine]

If brave was a person. You have to be ridiculously strong to fight your way back from such a tragic situation. I am in awe of this young lady. Truly inspiring. I have no doubt she'll be back in the salon. She is amazing.❤ ...and she has an amazing boyfriend.

[reenh]

This is so scary. I had covid 3 times. I guess everyones reaction is different. She seems so strong and has a good support system.

[Malibujeremy]

I have a dad with a prosthetic leg from an accident at work and my stepdad is in a wheelchair thanks to a motorcycle crash when he was 19. It bugs the hell out of me when people cant look pass the wheelchair or the limp that my dad has. Ignorant idiots will tell my dad that he doesn't need the power chair at the store or that he's lazy and needs to stop faking it. Growing up around them hasn't been easy. As they get older, my 2 brothers and my sister and I are taking care of them more and more. I live 15 miles from my dad and my siblings live closer to my mom and stepdad. We try to do as much as we can for them without making them feel uncomfortable or anything along those lines. It's great to see that you have a good support team around you. You just block out the ignorant idiots who have to say stupid sh*t or look at you like you're not human.

[brandip]

Girl, you are such an inspiration. You will, no doubt, help another amputee realize what they can accomplish. And your gym owner is amazing. I wish you and your family all the best.

[StylezMajorMusic]

What a strong spirit she has, I struggle heavily with mental health and seeing people like her fight and find a reason to not give up just makes me inspired.

[nazleyvanblerk]

I caught covid-19. Had 2 heart attacks, kidney failure, then diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, nerve damage. I was super fit and slim. Now I'm tired, body aches, 1 bad looking foot that could actually be cut off because I can't wear ooen shoes. My life has forever changed. I can't make my bed without praying before I actually do it. That's my story. Nazley Cape Town SA

I love you. You've inspired me❤

[staciesauvageau]

I love how happy and confident she is. She got through this and still kept her beauty and peace. She is beautiful and great. She is awesome. KEEP GOING GIRLLL

[olliesolliethecollie]

Dani, her boyfriend, her sister and her entire family have rallied around a woman who’s spirit shines brighter than any of us could ever imagine. Dani is truly the epitome of beauty, it radiates from every part of her.

The gym owner is so incredibly kind and the gift he gave to Dani has been instrumental in her recovery.

You can tell that he feels he has been given a priceless gift in return.

A truly extraordinary woman! ❤❤

[lorilynn]

I got the second covid shot, which then lead me to blood poisoning, kidney failure, and liver failure, my sugar level got extremely high and I had a heart attack and instantly went into a coma, woke up in the ICU 5 days later even tho the doctors in emerge didn't think I was going to make it! Covid is a REAL thing, unfortunately people like this woman and I have had horrible experiences!

[Robin]

Dani is a f*cking warrior! I think I would have given up if faced with her situation - but she is clearly no quitter!!! I wish for her to get back in her salon & have great success! What a woman!!! ❤

[adden]

She's got a very kind guardian angel 😇💓💓

[nereidgreen]

Wow! I had similar events happened to me early in 2024. I went septic, had septic shock from an infection caused through cannulation. My feet were damaged and they threatened to amputate toes because of gangrene and necrosis but I wasn't gonna let that happen. I was hospitalized for over two months and had to learn how to eat again and sent to rehab to learn how to walk again. It's amazing how strong this woman and her boyfriend are, together. And her makeup is on fleek!

[movieedge]

She is a total inspiration for amputees everywhere she didn’t let anything stop her . She is strong and incredible. And she has a great boyfriend by her side💪❤️