Schoolgirl loses both feet and gets rare meningitis after SWIMMING in the sea…“She Just Had Bruises”—Until the Truth Shattered Their World 💔
What began as a joyful honeymoon quickly turned into a nightmare no parent could imagine. Nine-year-old Brogan-Lei Partridge endured dozens of excruciating operations but her feet could not be saved.
Parents Aimee, 27, and Craig, 31, initially thought she had an infection after she began vomiting during the holiday, which took place only days after her parents’ wedding.
But after returning to the family home in Bartley Green, Birmingham, her parents rushed her to A&E after realising that something wasn’t right.
She quickly developed a terrible rash across her legs as doctor’s diagnosed Brogan with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.
The brave youngster’s family were given the grim news she would have to have her left foot removed due to the damage the condition had caused.
When Aimee Partridge noticed small bruises forming on her daughter Brogan’s legs, she thought they were nothing more than the usual bumps from childhood play. But behind those faint marks was something far more sinister—meningitis was silently attacking her little girl’s body.
Doctors initially misdiagnosed Brogan’s condition as an eye infection. By the time the truth was revealed, the illness had already taken hold. To save her life, surgeons were forced to amputate her left foot. It was a heartbreaking decision, but the worst was still to come.
Now, two years later and having endured dozens of excruciating operations in an effort to save her right foot, Brogan has finally had the remaining foot amputated as well – but is still smiling despite the unbearable pain.
Aimee said: “We’d been in and out of the sea all week so, at first we thought the first signs of the meningitis were conjunctivitis caused by swimming in the ocean.
“It was heartbreaking being told she’d have to have to the first amputation.
“Doctors thought her right foot would heal, so she had hours worth of surgery to keep it.
“She’d cry out in the night because of the pain.
“She’d say I just want to be normal and to play with friends at school like everyone else.”
Despite the agony, Aimee said that Brogan has shown huge courage throughout her journey as she now faces the prospect of life without her feet.
Brogan’s parents are now going to face the prospect of preparing Brogan for a life without feet and have already found a wheelchair which she’ll need.
Aimee said: “She’s been very brave and has always tried her best and been realistic.
“She didn’t like the treatment but knew it was for the best and trooped through it all. She’s wise beyond her years.
“The wheelchair is £2,000 so it’s going to be a stretch for us – but we’ll do our best.”
Speaking from her hospital bed, Brogan said: “I’m annoyed because I can’t move around properly.
“But all the doctors are being nice, and I can’t wait for the wheelchair.”
Brogan, fitted with a prosthetic, faced unimaginable pain in her remaining leg as infection continued to ravage her body. Despite months of treatment, it became clear: her other leg couldn’t be saved. In a moment no parent ever wants to face, Aimee and her family made the brave and devastating choice to amputate Brogan’s second leg.
Now just nine years old, Brogan is showing the world what true strength looks like. With determination and support, she’s learning to thrive in her new reality. Her mother now speaks out, urging others to recognize the subtle signs of meningitis before it’s too late.
This is more than a story of loss—it’s one of resilience, love, and a family’s relentless fight for their daughter’s life.