19-Year-Old Teenager Loses Her Legs And Fingers To Meningitis

A 19-year-old teenager, who initially thought her flu-like symptoms were just common flu, has lost her fingers and both of her legs to meningitis. Thus, she teamed up with Meningitis Now to raise awareness about the deadly disease.

Charlotte Hannibal of Nottinghamshire thought she just caught a cold during her fresher years. But her condition was quickly deteriorating to the point she was unable to walk. Hence, her worried parents took her to Nottingham City Hospital, where she was placed in induced coma and was eventually diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia -- a group W meningitis.

When she woke up from her coma, Charlotte was unable to remember her illness. Her hearing was also damaged and was unable to move her body. After two months, doctors decided to amputate both of her legs as well as her left fingers to save her life.

A year later, Ms. Hannibal has teamed up with Meningitis Now to raise fund as well as campaigning to warn other teenagers to have a vaccine, which she believed could prevent the infection from spreading.

The teen, who is still recovering from the ordeal said despite the difficulty she still feels lucky. "I feel incredibly lucky though," Ms. Hannibal told the Mirror. "I'm still alive and although I've lost both my lower legs and fingers, some people have lost a lot more."

She also makes sure to keep up with her rehabilitation appointments. Incredibly, Charlotte can now ride a bike and can do things with one hand, including doing nail art on her prosthetic legs. "I used to be the laziest person I know but now I will give anything a go," she said. "I have a long journey ahead of me still but I will give every step of the way 100 percent."

Along with her best friend, William Fowkes and Meningitis Now, Charlotte is doing everything she can to raise awareness about the disease -- hoping they can save more lives.