Two years ago, Alex Lewis contracted a common cold, which triggered a bacterial infection Strep A, also known as toxic shock syndrome. As a result, his arms, legs, and lips were amputated. Not only did it affect his physical health, it also impacted his relationship with his 3-year-old son, Sam.
During the initial stages of Alex’s rehabilitation, he encountered difficulties in getting close to Sam.
“I look so alien to him. He struggles to get close. He’ll give me a hug, but he certainly won’t kiss me.”
Sam refused to kiss his father, and also refused to let his father kiss him during these earlier periods. The ordeal had affected the pair greatly, and Alex found it hard to develop a close bond with his son, like the one he used to have.
Over the past two years, Alex had to rebuild his face and body, and his relationship with Sam. He underwent multiple surgeries to reconstruct his face, and this intensive recovery period has caused him to miss out on precious time with Sam. “I miss that time with Sam. And the closeness. An awful lot. It’s the one thing I think that gets me the most, out of all of it,” Alex shares.
Although Alex had lost much time with Sam during his rehabilitation period, there was one event he definitely could not miss – Sam’s first day of school. The family, Alex and his partner Lucy, gathered to send Sam to school together.
Bonding Through Activity
Sam is an active child who enjoys sports like football. Now that Alex wears prosthetics and has become more mobile, he is able to participate in sports activities with his family. For instance, Alex has picked up hand-cycling, and the family goes cycling together. Being able to join Sam in physical activities has certainly strengthened their bond. Sam helps Alex put on his prosthetics, and readily hugs and kisses Alex now.
Looking back, Alex is contented with his life now.
“The last two years have been the most tragic but brilliant two years of my life. From being minutes away from death and then, coming all the way through to now, being blissfully happy.
Share this post with someone to show him/her that relationships can and do improve over time.