RIPU Bhatia feels he has had a second chance at life after surviving meningococcal septicemia.
The 21-year-old student in Sydney at the time, experienced ‘excruciating pain’ and went to hospital where the severity of the situation quickly became apparent.
After waking up from a medically induced coma, Ripu, from Auckland, New Zealand, was faced with the devastating news that the blood infection had resulted in the loss of his nose and upper lip and doctors would need to amputate his legs and arms. Ripu told Truly: “Talking about dealing with that, I would say it's a gradual process of acceptance that doesn't hit straightaway, you know.
I didn't look at the mirror for a long time, I didn't really process it because my nose turned black and fell off.
And you lose a lot of confidence.” After 250 days in hospitals and the rehab centre, Ripu adjusted to a new way of life.
Ripu, now 27, achieved his dreams of becoming a journalist and feels his own experiences helps his work.
Ripu said: “I know what it's like to go through a struggle, so I'm able to empathize with them, and connect with them at a different level and get the story that maybe some other news reporter who hadn't been through as much wouldn't be able to get.” Ripu has gradually built his confidence back up and today, he will be going swimming with his friend for the first time.
Ripu said: “It’s really been a story of progress and improvement and I can say I’m in a really good place now.
Perhaps the best place I’ve been in a very long time.” https://www.instagram.com/ripubhatia/?hl=en