Student’s Fight Against Meningitis

A 19-year-old student named Ketia Moponda faced a life-threatening illness that turned out to be meningococcal sepsis, which she initially thought was just a severe flu. In a drastic turn of events, she ultimately had to amputate both legs to save her life.

Ketia started her university life just a week before she fell ill. Unfortunately, her memories from that time are a bit blurred, but she shared that she had confided in a friend about feeling unwell. The next day, when her family couldn’t reach her, security and fellow students at De Montfort University in Leicester found her unconscious in her room.

Upon diagnosis, doctors confirmed she had meningococcal sepsis, a severe form of blood poisoning. This illness can spread easily, primarily through respiratory droplets. In January 2025, Ketia underwent multiple amputations that included ten fingers and both of her legs.

Ketia, originally from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, hopes to raise awareness among fellow students about the condition. Reflecting on her ordeal, she said, “I don’t remember this, but I’m lucky to be alive.” She recalled waking up in the hospital with a dangerously low blood oxygen level and witnessing the alarming state of her body.

Her symptoms began with a cough on September 25, 2024. That night, feeling unusually tired after eating pizza, she took her medication, believing she would feel better soon. By lunch the following day, she reached out to her cousin, feeling faint and promising to check in again. However, as the day wore on, her condition worsened, and she expressed to her best friend that she felt like she might “die.” This prompted her friend to alert the university when Ketia failed to check in.

Emergency personnel transported her to the ICU at Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital, where she was placed in a coma for two days. When she finally woke up, she found it difficult to process her surroundings. “I couldn’t see or talk about it, and it was a week before I started speaking,” she said, admitting to moments of confusion about where she was.

As her condition progressed, the lack of blood flow caused severe swelling and pain in her feet and toes. Remarkably, two weeks later, she faced further complications with a severe infection. Medical staff had to perform skin grafts to address the issues.

Later, she was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Unfortunately, the situation escalated, leading to the amputation of all her fingers and thumbs, followed by both legs below the knees. “Basically, my legs were dead because they lacked blood,” she explained, recounting the emotional toll of the experience.

Ketia described the ordeal as “terrible” and expressed feelings of despair, saying she cried often and felt her spirit diminishing. After the surgeries, Ketia felt as if she was starting over. She left the hospital on February 24 and received her lower prosthetic leg in May, beginning rehabilitation in Wolverhampton.

Despite her challenges, she remains determined. Ketia has plans to return to the gym and continue pursuing her dream of modeling. “I love being active, and I will be back,” she affirmed, expressing her desire to inspire others who might feel insecure about themselves.

Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of seeking help when something feels off. “You don’t have to hide who you are,” she said, encouraging others to embrace their individuality. Ketia is resolute in pushing through obstacles and breaking barriers, fueled by her strong spirit.