Girl Who Lost Arms, Legs to Bacterial Meningitis Says the Experience Brought Her Closer to God
"I wouldn't change this experience for anything in the world."
One February morning in 2013 Kaitlyn Dobrow didn’t feel well. She was dizzy, uncoordinated, had body aches and a terrible headache. But when Kaitlyn began to see bruises all over her body and she was no longer able to move, her mother called 911. The diagnosis was bacterial meningitis — a potentially deadly disease afflicting around 4,100 people per year, resulting in 500 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The next day Kaitlyn’s body was purple and swollen. The following week blisters formed on Kaitlyn’s skin, similar to 3rd-degree burns, and her skin began to fall off. All of her limbs eventually were amputated because the meningitis cut off circulation in her arms and legs. She also lost 57 percent of her skin to the bacteria and endured over 20 surgeries to combat the damage done by the deadly disease.
Kaitlyn’s family began to see changes in her when she was in the hospital. In the middle of great fear, Kaitlyn began to experience God’s love for her, and while still in the hospital, she dedicated her life to Christ. “You can feel something that is just wonderful,” said her father, Don Dobrow, at a press conference outside the hospital. “It’s a peace, even joy. It’s just been an incredible thing that God is doing with her right now.”
Undaunted by the loss of her limbs, Kaitlyn was determined that prosthetics wouldn’t get in the way of her hopes for her future. “I still plan on following my dreams in cosmetics and cooking,” she posted on Facebook. She taught herself to apply makeup using prosthetics and now posts instructional photos and videos on Instagram, where she has almost 70,000 followers.
Her passion and determination in spite of her challenges gives others hope and a new perspective. One follower commented, “I’m crying watching this. So inspiring! Seeing how well you work despite your circumstances is AMAZING … Keep on doing what you’re doing.”
It’s not all about makeup, though. Kaitlyn’s faith is evident on all of her social media pages. In a February 2016 article to The Orange County Register, Kaitlyn said she had much hope for the new year. “God told me 2016 is going to be my year,” she said. “I’m excited but nervous to actually get my life started. I’ve been so coddled for years and so taken care of. Now I have to start doing it on my own.”
“I wouldn’t change this experience for anything in the world,” Kaitlyn said. “It has brought me closer to God and my family and has made me into the person I am today … My life is just beginning.”
Here is a peek at Kaitlyn’s latest instructional video for Halloween on how to make your face into a “glamorous cheetah.”