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An infection robbed her of her arms and legs – but not her joy of life Due to a bacterial infection, Alena Ehlers had to have both hands and feet amputated. But she did not lose her joy of life. In September 2017, Alena Ehlers, then 17, was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pain. Doctors diagnosed a rare bacterial meningitis. Triggered by the infection, the schoolgirl suffered severe blood poisoning and multiple organ failure. Alena's life was in danger and had to be put into an artificial coma for several weeks. The doctors gave her parents little hope, but Alena fought – and survived. The shock came when she woke up: Because not enough blood could get to her arms and legs, her hands and feet had turned black and died. They had to be amputated, otherwise they could cause further life-threatening poisoning. Alena gets hand and leg prostheses - and can now lead a relatively normal life again: Cooking, jogging, putting on make-up and even driving are no problem for her. She has also completed her high school diploma. Alena is studying social work and wants to help other people in difficult situations. Alena tells her whole moving story on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, on stern TV. You can find more information, contact points and help for those affected at the German Sepsis Help Association and the Federal Association for People with Arm or Leg Amputations eV stern TV, July 10, 2019, 10:15 p.m., RTL stern TV on Facebook: / sterntv More information on the topic: https://www.sterntv.de/ein-infekt-rau... stern TV in full on TVNOW: https://www.tvnow.de/shows/stern-tv-2385 #sternTV #sternTVReportage #Reportage