How I Lost All My Limbs | Minutes With | @LADbible

Alex Lewis was living a happy life as a stay at home Dad. After catching what he initially dismissed as a case of the flu - he became so seriously ill that all of his limbs had to be amputated to save his life.

This is his extraordinary story of what happened to him, the people around him that pieced his life back together - and why losing his limbs was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Thanks to Alex for taking part!
Instagram - @alexlewistrust

#LADbible #UNILAD

[KaraNolting]

Listening to the part where his best friend quit his job to stay and help...wow absolutely incredible.

[MrFluffums]

The most incredible part to me, is how his body has changed so much, but he approaches, sits, and look at the camera with complete confidence. What a badass

[laurabeaton]

I watched a documentary a couple of years ago, broke my heart seeing him struggle to deal with this. Stayed in my mind and watching this makes me happy to see he's doing OK. Keep strong x

[lusingapkiala]

I teared up when he mentioned that his friend quit his job to help take care of him, because to go through what he did and just listening to how he was so upset about not being able to do anything and just feeling down. I hope he remains in a good head space, the people you have around you really matters.

[thatguy]

That'd be terribly heart breaking to see your own child hide from you like this! I really feel for this man. It's awesome to see even after all that, he's still positive and wanting to live for his family. I really hope this device he's talking about allow(s) him to hit a golf ball and get back to his favorite activity!

[dmra]

Stories like this really make you think about how our individual lives will develop. I'm 23 years old, and to think, like, this guy when he was 23 never in a million years thought that by his current age, he'd have lost all his limbs and have his life altered in such a way. Where will we all be in 10 years? Where will we all be TOMORROW? I could climb an extension ladder tomorrow, as I have every day for the passed decade, and this time slip and fall to my death. Maybe become paralyzed for the rest of my life or something life altering like that. It's a crazy life we live. Makes you thankful for every day you can still take a breath, or step out of bed in the morning. Bless this man and all he's done in spite of his condition. Amazing story.

[JinNOSify]

I remember watching a documentary about this man. Not ashamed to say that I cried while watching/listening to his lot. Man is incredibly inspirational.

[CannabisIsMedicineUK]

His story terrifies me.. I almost lost my hands and feet to septic shock I’m 2011.. my bowel perforated, but I wasn’t believed in a and e, so they refused to scan me, until I vomited faeces on day 5.. by that point I was dying, they ran me into theatre, gave me a colostomy, amd I ended up fighting for my life in a coma in icu.
My hands and feet turned black and they gave me zero chance of survival, amd my friends had to say their goodbyes.. it was a miracle and when they turned life support off, I survived.

I’ve been so traumatised by my experience, and left with life changing illnesses, since the sepsis, such as pancreatic failure, adrenal failure amd numerous auto immune diseases…
I can relate to him seeing his Labrador.. my cats were what pulled me through..I couldn’t leave my fur babies and of course my friends, so I fought like hell to survive… I remember fighting for every breath in icu.. it has left me with such severe ptsd and I’m so terrified of dying, because what I went through mentally and physically for the 2 and a half months in hospital was prolonged unimaginable pain and suffering.

[joshkirk]

Such a brave and articulate guy. Stay positive my man!

[nomaddiaries]

That part when they asked about what he does now. I almost burst into tears. He's a public speaker, Director of Alex lewis Trust, Director World Wheel Chairs Project. Alex you're really superhuman. I'm sitting here with 4 limbs trying to figure my own life out.

[oppoh]

Give his friend an award while you receive one sir. What an absolute gem to give up his life for his brother. Your life was a double edged sword at that point and your buddy was the sharpener to bring it back to its former glory. Salute to you both.

[bsaget]

Fellow alcoholic: it's not seriously within the scope of discussion here but it's interesting how briefly he touched on his alcohol use before the amputation. He seems to begrudgingly admit it but that's most likely why the illness almost killed him. It lowers your body's immune response and makes you not care for yourself. Another risk of heavy drinking nobody really talks about...

[weronikalinda]

The friend who moved in with him for 6 months just to help out is the kind of friend we all need ❤ Amazing story of a beautiful person getting though the impossible and becoming even stronger and more wonderful.

[BluSpykz]

"I contracted something called Strep-A, it's not well known in the UK."

I assume this popped up in my recommended this week because Strep A is doing a number in the UK right now. I'm glad to see Alex is doing better than last time he was on film.

[base]

His Best Friend is a friend you’d kill for what a guy man

[TheRealSlimSteve]

"I'm not a down kind of guy, but she could she I was clearly upset". Holy understatement shit. That is some balls from somebody who has gone through something which would fuck up pretty much everyone. Hats off Alex, and good luck mate.

[alsful]

What a story and what a brave guy. The parts with the Labrador and the best friend really hit me. Also huge respect for the nurse that noticed he was going downhill & did her best to fix it. Legend.

[SJR_Media_Group]

Powerful story about a tragic disease, Alex is lucky to be alive. He actually survived 2 diseases that could have killed him; Toxic Shock and Alcoholism. I saw another story on line yesterday about a student who ate some left over food and got a rare form of Meningitis and Strep A also. It turned his blood into poison, he too lost all of his limbs. We don't want to be alarmist and rush to ER every time we are sick, but it could save your life.

[pondlakes]

No arms or legs, but more of a man than most. Inspiring story, and someone people should admire.

[KE-xjvm]

I love that he sees himself as lucky. That is the key to resilience. Not looking at what you’ve lost but looking at what you have