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Jayme Stephen was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of seven. Recently, a seemingly minor incident involving stepping on a dog biscuit triggered a rapid decline in her health, ultimately resulting in the amputation of her right leg. Shortly after noticing a dent on the sole of her foot caused by the biscuit, Jayme experienced intense pain and significant swelling, with her foot expanding to three times its normal size. Medical examinations soon confirmed she was suffering from sepsis, a dangerous infection that was spreading quickly.
At 39 years old, Jayme was urgently transported by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in October 2024, where she underwent a series of critical surgeries. Initially, doctors removed dead tissue from her foot to evaluate the extent of the damage. A second operation involved cutting open the sole of her foot, revealing that most of the nerves had died. When Jayme regained consciousness after the procedure, she anticipated the grave news. She recounted to BBC Scotland, “When they first took me down to the theatre, they didn’t know what was going to transpire and neither did I. But the second time I came around and they explained the situation I knew I was going to lose my leg.” Before the surgeon had a chance to speak, she said, “You are going to take my leg aren’t you?” The doctor confirmed, “Yes… I’m sorry Jayme but we have to cut off your foot. It is life or death.” The amputation was performed within an hour due to the rapidly spreading infection.
Living with diabetes meant Jayme was always aware that amputation was a potential risk, though she never thought it would actually happen to her. Over the past decade, she began to lose sensation in both legs, but had not faced any severe complications until the onset of sepsis. The mental strain of managing her condition had been overwhelming at times. Jayme shared, “I was in such a bad way with my anxiety, every time I went near the front door I just wanted the world to swallow me up. It got to the point where I couldn’t leave my bed. I used to be a person who loved the outdoors, canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting to where I am now and I just want to get back to that.” Following her amputation, Jayme has found new resilience and determination, stating, “I was one of those people who thought I was untouchable, but look at me now. But once I lost my leg and realised life goes on and how precious that is – I thought ‘I have to at least try.’ I actually ended up buying myself a canoe after I lost my leg because all I want to do is get back to outdoor activities.”
Jayme’s recovery over the past 19 months has involved adjusting to using a wheelchair full-time and managing personal challenges, including escaping a toxic relationship. As she works toward a more active lifestyle, she faces difficulties with how people react to her in public. She explained, “I can’t deal with people feeling sorry for me, and it is difficult when strangers just stop and stare at me. I may have lost my leg but I am still a person. I would rather people just ask if it is okay to ask me what happened. Don’t make me feel uncomfortable because you are uneducated.” Jayme is also keen to raise awareness among people with diabetes about the rapid seriousness of foot injuries, emphasizing, “You don’t know how your body will react to a trauma like that. Don’t leave it to chance. It was always a risk I was aware of but I never thought it would happen to me.”
Jenn Hall, National Director at Diabetes Scotland, highlighted the critical importance of foot care for individuals with diabetes. She noted that minor foot issues can escalate into ulcers, infections, or even amputations due to nerve and blood vessel damage caused by high blood sugar levels over time. Hall stressed that most foot problems are preventable through regular self-examination and clinical reviews, saying, “Most foot problems can be prevented by taking care of your feet, checking them regularly, and having them checked as part of your annual diabetes review. It’s vital that all people living with diabetes know how to look after their feet and look out for the signs of foot problems. It’s also crucial that people with diabetes know how important it is to seek medical attention if they spot any signs of foot problems. Fast access to a footcare team is vital for reducing amputations.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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