Student Who Thought She Had Flu Loses Legs and Fingers, Now She’s Inspiring Thousands

For many students, the start of university is a whirlwind of fresh experiences, new friendships, and the inevitable bout of “freshers’ flu.” A cough here, a headache there nothing that usually raises alarm bells. But for 19-year-old Ketia Moponda, what she believed to be a mild seasonal illness quickly spiraled into a nightmare that changed her life forever. Just eight days after beginning her degree in marketing and advertising at De Montfort University in Leicester, Ketia went from casual drowsiness to organ failure, with doctors fearing she wouldn’t survive the night. What began as fatigue and flu-like symptoms would ultimately lead to the loss of both her legs and fingers but not her spirit.

Against overwhelming odds, Ketia pulled through. Her survival is nothing short of extraordinary, but what’s even more powerful is the way she has chosen to move forward. Rather than letting tragedy define her, Ketia is stepping quite literally into her new life with resilience and a fierce determination to break barriers. Her journey is a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, hope and strength can carry someone through. Her story now serves as both a cautionary tale for students and an inspiring testament to human perseverance.

From Freshers’ Flu to Critical Condition

Like many first-year students, Ketia assumed her cough and fatigue were nothing more than freshers’ flu, a common ailment that strikes newcomers adjusting to university life. But her illness rapidly escalated. She recalls calling her cousin and best friend, saying she felt as though she was “going to die.” The following morning, when she failed to answer her phone, a fellow student and university security staff entered her dorm room only to find her unconscious and surrounded by signs that her body was shutting down.

She was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where doctors made a chilling discovery. Ketia was suffering from meningococcal septicaemia, a rare but devastating blood infection that can cause bacterial meningitis and sepsis.

By the time she reached hospital, her blood oxygen levels had plummeted to just one percent. Her skin had turned colorless, her feet swollen and green, and her organs had begun to fail. Doctors warned her family that even if she survived, she might wake up brain dead.

Placed in a medically induced coma, Ketia remained unresponsive for two days. When she finally woke, she couldn’t speak or see, her body ravaged by the infection. The nightmare had only begun. As blood circulation failed, the tissue in her fingers and legs began to die, leaving doctors no choice but to amputate. By January, both of her legs were removed below the knees, followed by her fingers and thumbs. It was a devastating loss for someone who had only just stepped into adulthood.

Life After Amputation

The psychological impact of the amputations was almost as crushing as the physical ordeal. Ketia described waking up after surgery and simply crying the weight of her new reality too heavy to comprehend. “I felt like my whole life had just begun and now I had to start all over again differently,” she explained. For a teenager who had been active, ambitious, and even considered modeling, the idea of relearning how to live was overwhelming.

But slowly, Ketia began to rebuild. In May, she received prosthetic lower legs, and with determination and physical therapy, she learned to walk again. Her ability to adapt has astonished doctors and inspired those around her. She has even set her sights on returning to the gym and, in time, running again. While she still awaits prosthetic fingers, she refuses to let that stand in her way. Her resilience shines through her insistence that her disability will not limit her ambitions or her identity.

Instead of hiding, Ketia has embraced visibility. She speaks candidly about her experience and refuses to be defined by loss. Her declaration, “I am unapologetically me,” has resonated with many. She hopes to encourage others especially those facing disability to feel confident and empowered, no matter their circumstances.

Breaking the Stigma Around Disability

For Ketia, survival is only part of her story. She is now on a mission to normalize disability and confront the discomfort many people feel when faced with visible differences. “It’s rare that you see an amputee just out there in front of your face,” she explained. “Even though seeing an amputee is not normal, I want it to be a norm.” Her courage in confronting this head-on is not only empowering for those with disabilities but also educational for society at large.

Representation matters deeply, and Ketia knows this. As a young Black woman, she has spoken about the importance of being visible and unapologetic in her identity. By sharing her story on TikTok and through interviews, she is helping to dismantle stereotypes about beauty, ambition, and ability. She wants people to see her not as a victim of circumstance, but as a strong, headstrong individual determined to build her future.

Her resilience and positivity are infectious, inspiring others to reconsider their perceptions of disability. In a world where social media often amplifies unrealistic standards, Ketia’s honesty and bravery stand as a refreshing counterpoint a reminder that authenticity, not perfection, is the key to confidence.

Raising Awareness for Students

While Ketia’s determination is inspiring, her story also carries an urgent warning for students. Meningococcal septicaemia is rare but extremely serious, and it can progress with terrifying speed. The NHS emphasizes that symptoms such as high fever, headache, nausea, and fatigue should not be dismissed. In severe cases, the infection can lead to meningitis, sepsis, and life-altering consequences as Ketia’s journey shows.

Many students entering university brush off these symptoms as freshers’ flu, often avoiding doctors while adjusting to their new lives. Ketia is determined to change that narrative. She now urges students to register with a local GP immediately upon arriving at university and to educate themselves about meningitis and sepsis. Vaccinations, including the MenB vaccine, can offer protection, but they are not foolproof. Ketia herself had been vaccinated, yet she still contracted the illness. Her message is clear: don’t ignore your body, and don’t assume every cough is harmless.

Universities across the UK often provide welcome packs with cards listing meningitis symptoms, but many students overlook them. Ketia’s story brings those warnings into sharp focus. She wants her experience to remind others that trusting their instincts and acting quickly could be the difference between life and death.

Finding Strength Through Adversity

As much as Ketia’s illness and amputations represent unimaginable loss, they have also become the foundation for a new life filled with purpose. Rather than allowing her circumstances to crush her, she has used them as fuel. Her outlook is not one of pity but of empowerment. She describes herself as “headstrong,” determined to push boundaries and challenge stereotypes of what a disabled person can achieve.

In the months since leaving hospital, Ketia has not only learned to walk with prosthetics but has also embraced her platform as a campaigner. Through TikTok and other social media, she shares her progress, setbacks, and triumphs, inspiring a growing community of followers. Her story has already begun to ripple outward, touching lives far beyond the walls of her university or hometown.

She is determined to return to the things she loves, including fitness and possibly modeling. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: her disability does not diminish her beauty, ambition, or value. Instead, it adds depth to her story and strength to her character. For Ketia, the journey is not about returning to who she was before, but about embracing who she is now unapologetically and proudly.

A Story That Inspires Beyond Illness

Ketia Moponda’s journey is one of unimaginable hardship, but it is also a story of resilience, courage, and the refusal to be defined by tragedy. From the brink of death to standing tall on prosthetic legs, she embodies the power of human determination. Her message resonates on two fronts: first, as a stark reminder of the dangers of ignoring symptoms and the importance of seeking medical care, and second, as a testament to the strength that can arise from adversity.

Her insistence on being unapologetically herself challenges perceptions of disability and beauty, offering a vital lesson in confidence and authenticity. For students, her experience underscores the importance of taking health seriously, while for society at large, it highlights the need to embrace and normalize diversity in all its forms.

Life rarely unfolds as planned. For Ketia, what began as a normal university experience became a fight for survival. Yet out of that struggle, she has forged a story that continues to inspire. Her determination to live fully, break barriers, and support others ensures that her legacy will not be one of illness but of resilience and hope. In her words and actions, she proves that while illness took her legs and fingers, it never took her spirit and that spirit is unstoppable.