I Lost My Limbs When I Was 21 | BRAND NEW ME

May 14 2021

Career Hospital Rehabilitation Exercise New me Life Car Death Confidence Loss Rehab

RIPU Bhatia feels he has had a second chance at life after surviving meningococcal septicemia. At the age of just 21, Ripu, from Auckland, New Zealand, contracted the blood infection which resulted in the loss of his nose, upper lip and the amputation of his legs and arms. Ripu could not look in the mirror for a long time and lost a lot of confidence. After 250 days in hospitals and a rehab centre, Ripu adapted to these massive physical changes and has gradually rebuilt his confidence. Now, the 27-year-old has fulfilled his dreams of becoming a journalist and feels his experiences serve him well in this role. While he is smashing life career-wise, Ripu wants to get back into exercise, having not been swimming in years since his rehabilitation sessions. Now, he is ready to get back in the pool and this time, with a friend. Ripu told Truly: “To come so close to death and emerge as a physically different person and mentally different, in a lot of ways, is a significant change, to put it lightly. And I do feel I've got a second chance in life.”