From Tragedy to Triumph

Faced with unexpected tragedies, both Julie Guthrie and Kim Steele suffered from sepsis and multi-organ failures that led to quadruple amputation. Lovers of life by nature and fighters by circumstance, however, these women confronted their grim situations head on. 

Things may look a little different for them now, but with optimism, strength, unwavering hope and hard work at Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital, they have reclaimed their lives and their independence. 

This is Kim Steele's story of her inspirational and emotional journey to recovery.

Read Julie Guthrie's story here.

Not many of us are brave enough to take part in adrenaline-inducing activities like snorkeling, zip lining and skydiving.

53-year-old Kim Steele is, however, and she does so as a quadruple amputee.

“You never know what you can do until you are faced with a tragedy.”

And that includes extreme sports, all part of a new bucket list that Kim has just gotten started on as a sepsis survivor.

In May 2016, after four days of taking a new medication, she had a severe toxic reaction. She was rushed to the ER, and within 30 minutes, she coded three times.

She was then intubated and placed in medically-induced coma, at which time she suffered multi-organ failure. She developed sepsis, which lead to septic shock. In order to save her vital organs, including her heart, brain and kidneys, doctors used medication that increases blood pressure by constricting peripheral vessels. Unfortunately, that led to a lack of blood supply and oxygen in her limbs, causing necrosis and gangrene of her limbs.

“My family was told that I had less than a 9% chance of surviving.”

But despite the odds, she did survive, fighting for her life at every point.

“I never thought I would recover until I realized that I had to fight if I wanted my life back.”

Shortly after, she underwent a quadruple amputation but made a full recovery from sepsis.

In November, she arrived at Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital, where she was started on a robust plan to restore her mobility and independence.

“I never thought I would recover until I realized that I had to fight if I wanted my life back.”

Kim first learned how to use her prosthetic hands, picking up blocks and beads, then hanging up clothes, cooking and taking care of her farm animals. Once she mastered use of her upper body, it was time to focus on walking.

It was the night before she was to take her first steps. She said, “I couldn’t sleep that night because of the anticipation of what this day was going to mean.”

Surrounded by the nurses, doctors and other patients all with tears of joy in their eyes, she took her first step on December 28, 2016, filming the dramatic moment, so she could send it as a video to surprise to her family.

Looking back to her first days of rehab, she said, “I thought I was literally going to die. I had never worked out so hard . . . but you find that inner strength and fight through it. And that is what I did!”

Now, more than three years later, Kim continues to share her optimism with others and express a love for life.

“I'm happier than I have ever been and it flows through me. I feel this is the life I was meant to live and will continue sharing my experiences and knowledge with the world.”

She regularly holds motivational speaking events and has published a book, advocating for sepsis awareness and communicating to not only those that have gone through a similar situation but to everyone that “we don't always get to choose the circumstances that happen to us, but we do get to choose what comes next!”

“I'm happier than I have ever been and it flows through me. I feel this is the life I was meant to live and will continue sharing my experiences and knowledge with the world.”

Most importantly, Kim focuses on sharing this message that highlights sepsis awareness and life lessons that she has learned: 

“Educate yourself of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and don’t wait until it is too late. We have to fight to save lives and limbs. The challenge is to make sure that everyone in the health care system understands how to recognize the key symptoms and responds.

“The human spirit is one of perseverance and courage that no one can take away. There are things that we can’t change, but, in the end, they end up changing us. We are all in this together! Be bold to live the life the way you want and never apologize for it. You can always take the road less traveled instead of a well-beaten path. If I can help individuals to overcome those obstacles and fears of intimidation, and concentrate on the things that they can do and give them back the life they should be living, my purpose in this second chance at this thing called life will be complete!”   

“We all have the strength and resilience to appreciate what we have and who we are. Each one of us has the strength and determination to succeed. I am not what happened to me but what I have become."

For more information on the life-changing services provided by Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital, visit their website.

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