The life story of Alex Lewis is like no other. This man refused to give up on his life no matter what it took, and today, he’s thriving with the help of his loving wife Lucy Townsend, and their son.
Alex and Lucy always knew they were meant for each other. When they married and welcomed their son Sam into their life, they felt like the happiest couple on Earth. But then in 2013, around the time Sam turned two, this family’s life took a different turn.
Both Alex and Sam caught the flu, or at least they believed so. However, as the boy got better in a short period of time, Alex wasn’t feeling fine even days after he experienced the flu-like symptoms.
“Because we owned and lived in a pub and came into contact with lots of different people, I assumed it was a seasonal cold and thought it started off as man flu,” Alex told Metro.
Instead of improving, his condition worsened and he became feverish and noticed blood in his urine.
As he could feel something was very wrong, he went to the hospital where doctors told him he contracted a streptococcal infection (type A). Unfortunately, at that point, the infection penetrated deep into the tissue and the organs and caused sepsis. Alex had contracted shock syndrome, septicemia, and necrotizing fascitis – and his body was attacking itself from the inside out.
“I called an ambulance, and within eight minutes, they were there. At the hospital, we went straight into resuscitation, and I was told to say goodbye. His kidneys were shutting down, and they were going to put him on life support,” his wife Lucy told The Guardian.
Doctors’ prognoses were dull. They told the family there was just a three percent chance that Alex would survive as his face and body turned black.
“They were going to turn my life support off, but they wanted to give me one more night to see if I improved, and they wanted to give my family a chance to say goodbye,” Alex told Metro.
“I cannot imagine what Lucy and my mum were going through.
“Having spoken to them since it happened, I think they were more in shock as they couldn’t believe something so incredibly invasive was happening so quickly,” he added.
“I don’t remember being in excruciating pain at this point, but my family remembers seeing me in absolute agony.”
It was determined that a flesh-eating bacteria was poisoning his body so doctors had to amputate his left arm up to the elbow. Sadly, as months passed by, Alex lost all of his limbs, and doctors were also forced to cut parts of his face in order to save his life.
“I can remember seeing my legs in hospital and how they were getting blacker and blacker,” Alex told The Guardian. “The blackness was creeping up towards my waist. I don’t remember seeing my left arm in that condition, but I can remember my legs vividly.”
As Alex lost his lips, plastic surgeon Alexandra Crick took skin from his shoulder in an attempt to fix his mouth.
“It would take me about an hour to eat a sandwich at night, and that was with the help of the nurse,” he told the Daily Mail.
“The last available skin for surgery was on my shoulder,” he explained. “So they replaced the temporary flap with that. All my other skin had to be used for grafts or was scarred.”
“Having my bottom and top lip done at the same time like this was a world first. It’s one piece of skin, and it was like if you imagine placing a bag in your mouth and then sewing around the edges. After the original operation, I had to have them every three or four months.”
Looking at his father, and how different he was, Sam was afraid to approach closer to him, but Lucy found a way to explain to him why his dad looked like that, which wasn’t easy as Sam was just two years old at the time.
After spending months at the hospital Alex could finally go home. The good thing was that doctors managed to save the elbow of his right arm which allowed him to have a prosthetic and be able to use his arm. Eventually, he could speak again as his lip surgery was a huge success.
“That one elbow is his whole independence,” Lucy said.
“I had to relearn everything,” Alex added. “From learning to eat, drink, put my clothes on, to learn to use a prosthesis, and to self propel a manual wheelchair.”
Today, Alex is involved in a number of tech projects which help ease the lives of disabled people. Among the rest, he has tested solar-powered, battery-assisted four-wheeled handles which have been designed by masters students at Southampton University.
Despite his condition, he’s living a quality life and is doing a lot of things, such as kayaking and climbing. In 2019, he climbed one of Africa’s tallest mountains using a specially adapted buggy.
“Since becoming an amputee, I’ve been fortunate enough to try out a number of training methods to keep my fitness up, working with physios and visiting the Help for Heroes training facilities,” he shared with Sports Management.
“I’ve had first-rate guidance, but nothing has been as effective as EMS training, especially in such a short space of time.
“It’s amazing how the machine helps me to engage muscles I haven’t felt since I lost my arms and legs,” he added.
“I feel stronger in training, daily life tasks are easier, and I’ve gained greater confidence that I can take on these challenges.”
His Wild Wheelchairs Project, besides helping improve the lives of disabled people, raises money to finance the construction and operation of a wheelchair manufacturing facility in Ethiopia.
Alex is also a motivational speaker who is happy with his life.
“I’ve lived more of a life in the past four years than I did in the previous 33, and it’s made me realize how much I love Lucy and Sam,” he told Metro.
“There was so much I regretted not doing when I had arms and legs, but I am not letting that happen again. I would not change anything, not in a heartbeat.”
Sam also learned to love his dad for who he is and is proud of him.
We truly admire this brave man’s resilience. His story is proof that no matter the curveballs life throws at us, we should always do our best to end up winners.
My Brother-in-Law Belittled My Husband for Being a Teacher — Days Later, Karma Brought Him Down to Earth. News
At our family reunion, my brother-in-law Tom, a successful but arrogant lawyer, belittled my husband David, a dedicated teacher. Days later, karma struck when Tom’s Ferrari broke down, leading him to a humbling encounter on a crowded bus that changed his perspective on success and respect.
My name is Sarah, and I’m 37 years old. Every year, my family holds a reunion at my parents’ house, a tradition that brings us all together for a weekend of catching up and reminiscing. This year was no different, except for the usual grand entrance of my brother-in-law, Tom.
Young woman | Source: Pexels
Tom is a successful corporate lawyer, known not just for his sharp legal mind but also for his penchant for flaunting his wealth. This time, he arrived fashionably late, driving a brand-new, flashy red Ferrari that screamed for attention.
As the family gathered in the front yard, Tom pulled up, revving the engine to announce his arrival. Everyone’s heads turned, and soon enough, they flocked around the car, admiring its sleek design and luxurious appeal.
Family dinner | Source: Pexels
Tom basked in the admiration, soaking up the compliments and boasting about his latest acquisition. He detailed the car’s top speed, its luxurious interior, and the extravagant price tag with a smug grin plastered across his face. As we sat around the dinner table, enjoying our meal and each other’s company, the conversation naturally shifted to careers and finances.
David, my husband, began sharing a touching story about one of his students who had overcome significant obstacles to succeed. The warmth and pride in David’s voice were evident, and for a moment, everyone was captivated by his story.
Family reunion | Source: Pexels
That is, until Tom seized the opportunity to interject. “You know,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin, “you’ll never own a car like mine on a teacher’s salary. You should have aimed higher.”
His words cut through the air, turning the atmosphere icy. Everyone around the table fell silent, the joy of the reunion momentarily shattered by Tom’s arrogance.
Arrogant man | Source: Pexels
Lisa, Tom’s wife and my sister, didn’t miss a beat. “Honestly, David,” she added, her tone dripping with entitlement, “why did you settle for such a mediocre job? If you had any ambition, you wouldn’t have to live such an ordinary life.”
David, ever the composed and kind-hearted man, simply smiled and shrugged. “I love what I do,” he replied calmly. “Teaching gives me a sense of purpose that money can’t buy.”
Woman at an outdoor family dinner | Source: Pexels
My parents exchanged worried glances, clearly distressed by the harsh words directed at David. My mom cleared her throat, attempting to change the subject. “So, Tom, how’s work been treating you lately?”
But Tom wasn’t done yet. “Oh, it’s been fantastic,” he boasted, ignoring the tension in the room. “Just closed another big deal last week. The bonus alone could buy two of these Ferraris.”
Man on the street | Source: Pexels
David tried to steer the conversation back. “You know, one of my students recently got a scholarship—”
Tom interrupted again. “That’s great, but really, David, you could do so much better for yourself. Teaching? Come on.”
Lisa nodded in agreement. “You deserve more than just scraping by, don’t you think, Sarah?”
Inside, I was seething. How could Tom and Lisa belittle David like that? I glanced at David, who met my gaze with a reassuring smile, but I could see the hurt in his eyes.
Family picnic | Source: Pexels
“David’s work is incredibly important,” I snapped, unable to hold back. “He’s changing lives every day.”
“Sure, Sarah,” Tom said dismissively. “But at what cost?”
I squeezed David’s hand under the table, my mind racing with anger and indignation. “You know, Tom,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “not everyone measures success by the size of their bank account or the price tag of their car.”
Tom rolled his eyes. “Well, maybe they should.”
Man toasts | Source: Pexels
My dad tried again to diffuse the situation. “Let’s all just enjoy our meal. We’re here to spend time together, not to argue.”
But the damage was done. The rest of the family sat in uncomfortable silence, clearly affected by the tension.
As I sat there, fuming, I considered my options. Part of me wanted to lash out and put Tom and Lisa in their place, to defend David’s honor right then and there. But I knew that would only escalate the situation and create more tension at the reunion.
Angry woman | Source: Pexels
Instead, I took a deep breath and resolved to bide my time. Tom’s arrogance would catch up with him eventually, and I had faith that karma would find a way to teach him a lesson. For now, I focused on supporting David, squeezing his hand again to let him know I was on his side, no matter what.
Just a few days after the reunion, David came home with a story that brought a smile to my face. “You won’t believe what happened to Tom today,” he said, setting his bag down and sitting beside me.
Couple talks in bed | Source: Pexels
“What happened?” I asked, curious.
“Well, his Ferrari broke down on his way to a big meeting,” David began. “He was completely stranded and realized he had left his wallet at home, and his phone was nearly dead.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Karma?”
“Definitely,” David chuckled.
Tom’s day started disastrously when his Ferrari broke down on the way to an important meeting. Stranded and frustrated, he realized he had forgotten his wallet at home and his phone was nearly dead.
Man on a bus stop | Source: Pexels
With no other options, he reluctantly made his way to the nearest bus stop. His designer suit and polished shoes looked starkly out of place among the commuters.
As Tom boarded the crowded bus, he felt a wave of humiliation wash over him. The bus jolted as it pulled away from the stop, and he grabbed a pole to steady himself. Glancing around, he was horrified to see David, his brother-in-law, seated near the back, calmly reading a book.
Crowded bus | Source: Pexels
David looked up, a calm smile spreading across his face. He waved and motioned for Tom to join him. With no better option, Tom made his way through the packed bus, muttering apologies as he bumped into other passengers. He finally reached David and sat down, clearly uncomfortable.
“So, what brings you here?” David asked, his tone friendly but with a hint of irony.
“My car broke down,” Tom admitted, clearly embarrassed. “It’s in the shop for a few days.”
Car service | Source: Pexels
David nodded, his smile never fading. “Well, this is my daily commute. The bus isn’t so bad once you get used to it.”
As the bus continued its route, Tom struggled to maintain his composure. The bumpy ride and close quarters were getting to him. Suddenly, the bus hit a pothole, and Tom lost his grip, tumbling into the lap of a stern-looking elderly woman. She scolded him loudly, causing nearby passengers to laugh. Tom’s face turned beet red.
Man in a crowded bus | Source: Pexels
The bus came to an abrupt halt due to a mechanical issue. The driver announced they would have to wait for another bus, as this one couldn’t continue. Tom groaned in frustration, stepping off the bus into the rain.
To make matters worse, his phone rang. It was his boss, furious about the missed meeting. Tom’s excuses fell on deaf ears, and he was reprimanded harshly, losing an important client in the process.
Angry boss | Source: Pexels
When the replacement bus finally arrived, it was even more crowded. Tom found himself squeezed between two large, sweaty passengers, the broken air conditioning making the ride unbearably hot. By the time he reached his destination, his designer suit was soaked with sweat, and his expensive shoes were splattered with mud.
Stepping off the bus, Tom slipped on the wet pavement, landing in a puddle. As he struggled to his feet, David offered him a hand. “Rough day, huh?” David said, barely able to hide his amusement.
A dark bus | Source: Pexels
Tom looked up, defeated. “You have no idea.”
When Tom finally arrived at work, he was late, disheveled, and humiliated. His boss was waiting for him, unimpressed with his appearance and his excuses. He was promptly demoted, losing his prestigious office and being assigned to a cramped cubicle. The day had been a harsh lesson in humility and respect, one that Tom wouldn’t soon forget.
Sad man on a bench | Source: Pexels
At the next family gathering, the atmosphere was noticeably different. As we all gathered at my parents’ house, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Tom, usually the first to flaunt his latest achievements and acquisitions, seemed unusually quiet. He arrived on time, without his usual fanfare, and parked his now-repaired Ferrari discreetly down the street.
During dinner, Tom surprised everyone by speaking up in a humble tone. “David,” he began, looking directly at my husband, “I owe you an apology.” The room fell silent, all eyes on him.
A family get-together | Source: Pexels
David looked up, clearly taken aback. “For what, Tom?”
“For my behavior at the last reunion,” Tom continued. “I was out of line, and I belittled your career in a way that was completely unacceptable. I’ve realized that success isn’t about material possessions. It’s about making a difference, something you do every day as a teacher.”
David smiled warmly. “Thank you, Tom. That means a lot.”
Happy family | Source: Pexels
If you liked this story, you might enjoy checking out this one. Here, Belle thought she was receiving a precious family heirloom, but on Laura’s birthday, a jewelry appraisal revealed truths that would redefine their family ties. The truth about the fake ring ignited a confrontation that changed everything.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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