Austin, TX - This has been a long road to recovery. It hasn't been easy, but it's been productive. Don't feel sorry for Austinite Jamie Schanbaum, learn from her.
The 21-year-old is learning to use her body again. Some parts were there before, others were not. There's little left of her hands. Both legs are amputated below the knees. Except for appearances, you wouldn't be able to tell she's handicapped -- and she doesn't accept much help.
"I guess the reason I am motivated to do it on my own is to gain independence again," she said.
In November of 2008, Jamie was a healthy student at the University of Texas in Austin, but then she contracted meningococcal septicemia -- a form of meningitis.
Meningitis is a bacteria that can be life-threatening. The body reacts by cutting off circulation to extremitites in order to protect vital organs. The illness is spread by saliva from coughing, kissing or sharing food. It's unclear how Jamie contracted it.
In 2009 Schanbaum and her mother, Patsy, helped pass the Jamie Schanbaum Act. The law went into effect January 1 and requires freshman students at Texas colleges to get a meningitis vaccine if they live in student housing. This spring, hundreds of students at UT-Austin were vaccinated.
In the fall, when the bulk of new students arrive, about 5,000 of them are expected to get vaccinated.
Doctor Juan Latorre at St. David's rehabilitation hospital is in charge of Jamie's therapy.
"Patients like her, who also have a good family support are usually patients who fare the best after becoming disabled," he said.
Dr.Latorre can relate. He's an amputee too. He lost part of his leg in a train accident. The incident inspired him to become a specialist in therapy and prosthetics.
He says Jamie went through a period of acceptance and now she's driven.
"She was extremely motivated and just looking toward the future, not focusing on what she lost, but what she can still do despite her disability," Dr. Latorre said.
With the help of prosthetic legs, Jamie learned to how to drive and ride her bicycle again.
"I definitely doubted myself in the beginning," she said. "Now I can definitely write with a pen, type, use my cell phone, any kind of hands-on type of things. I can brush my teeth, do my makeup. I do everything on my own. I don't really ask anyone for help. Humans adapt I guess."
She's studying to become a counselor in order to help others, something she's already doing by promoting the vaccine.
"I hope that parents, or anyone, just takes that information," Jamie said. "If there's a vaccine out there than can save their life, why should they not get this? If you see my speeches or know my story, there's a lot to know about me. It's an interesting experience, what I've gone through. A life changing one."
Jamie wants you to know, if you see her, say hello and ask questions.
"I guess I'm grateful to have gotten sick because I know that I'm saving lives, whether they know it or not," she said. "I'm glad to have done that."
Jamie will enter her junior year at UT in the fall.