'I stood on a dog biscuit - it left me in a wheelchair'

A woman who found out she was diabetic at seven years old has told how stepping on a dog biscuit led to her right leg being amputated.

Days after Jayme Stephen noticed a dent on the sole of her foot from the kibble, she began to experience extreme pain and her foot swelled to three times its original size.

The 39-year-old had sepsis, which was spreading rapidly. She was rushed to hospital and endured three major surgeries in five days to save her life - losing her leg in the process.

Jayme, who loves to kayak and be outdoors, said she spent years feeling her Type 1 diabetes was slowly killing her. Now she is eager to rediscover a life of adventure as an amputee.

It was October 2024, when Jayme from New Pitsligo made the trip by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she was rushed into surgery.

First medics had to remove all the dead tissue from her foot to assess the damage.

A second operation that saw the sole of her foot slit open from top to bottom was required to investigate further, and revealed most of the nerves had died.

When she came round and was greeted by the doctor, Jayme knew the life-changing news before the surgeon could deliver it.

She told BBC Scotland: "When they first took me down to the theatre, they didn't know what was going to transpire and neither did I.

"But the second time I came around and they explained the situation I knew I was going to lose my leg.

"Before the surgeon could speak I told him: 'You are going to take my leg aren't you?' and he said 'Yes... I'm sorry Jayme but we have to cut off your foot. It is life or death.'

"They could see how quick the infection was spreading and had my leg amputated in less than an hour."

Type 1 diabetes is a condition where your body cannot make a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps your body use glucose - sugar - for energy.

Without insulin the level of glucose in your blood becomes too high.

Diabetes is a major cause of lower limb amputation in adults. The charity Diabetes UK says it leads to more than 180 amputations a week.

Due to growing up with the condition, Jayme said amputation was always a risk but she never thought it would actually happen.

Ten years ago she first started to lose feeling in both legs but never had serious issues until the week she got sepsis.

It was about this time she struggled with the mental weight of handling the disease.

She said: "I was in such a bad way with my anxiety, every time I went near the front door I just wanted the world to swallow me up.

"It got to the point where I couldn't leave my bed.

"I used to be a person who loved the outdoors, canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting to where I am now and I just want to get back to that."

Little did she know that - 10 years later - the unthinkable would become her new reality.

But with new challenges would come a newfound level of resilience that would change her outlook on life.

"I was one of those people who thought I was untouchable, but look at me now.

"But once I lost my leg and realised life goes on and how precious that is - I thought 'I have to at least try.'

"I actually ended up buying myself a canoe after I lost my leg because all I want to do is get back to outdoor activities," she said.

The 19-month road to recovery hasn't been totally free from obstacles, with Jayme adjusting life as a full-time wheelchair user while fleeing a toxic relationship.

Now, as she takes steps to enjoying a more active life, she faces challenges with how she is treated when out and about as a wheelchair user.

She said: "I can't deal with people feeling sorry for me, and it is difficult when strangers just stop and stare at me.

"I may have lost my leg but I am still a person. I would rather people just ask if it is okay to ask me what happened.

"Don't make me feel uncomfortable because you are uneducated."

Jayme also wants diabetic people to be aware of the risks and how quickly something that may seem minor can turn.

She said: "You don't know how your body will react to a trauma like that.

"Don't leave it to chance. It was always a risk I was aware of but I never thought it would happen to me."

Jenn Hall, National Director at Diabetes Scotland, explained that minor foot problems can lead to ulcers, infections and, at worst, amputations for people with diabetes.

This is because, over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels that supply the nerves to the feet.

She said: "Most foot problems can be prevented by taking care of your feet, checking them regularly, and having them checked as part of your annual diabetes review.

"It's vital that all people living with diabetes know how to look after their feet and look out for the signs of foot problems.

"It's also crucial that people with diabetes know how important it is to seek medical attention if they spot any signs of foot problems.

"Fast access to a footcare team is vital for reducing amputations."