ONE-HOUR SPECIAL EVENT: BIONIC DAD
THE day, 23 years ago that Matthew met Diane at University
the teenagers shared a bond. Within weeks they both knew they wanted to spend
the rest of their lives together. If it’s possible to have the perfect
relationship, this couple is living proof it exists. If you ever doubted the
power of true love to conquer any obstacle then don’t miss this emotional Mike
Willesee special event.
When devoted father-of-four Matthew Ames fell ill with what
he thought was a bout of “man flu” 18 months ago, he took a few days off work.
When he didn’t feel any better, he visited four GP’s who each sent him back to
bed. Finally, in agony, his family took him to the hospital. Within hours he was
in a coma and surgeons had amputated his left arm. Matthew had gone into toxic
shock from an infection of Streptococcus – a common bacteria nearly all of us
have in the back of our throats or on our skin. It’s harmless unless, as in
Matthew’s case, it travels into your bloodstream. As the poison spread quickly
through his body, doctors told Diane that Matthew had just a one per cent chance
of survival – but they would need to remove all his limbs to give him that
chance.
When Matthew awoke, he was told he’d lost both arms and
legs. Diane insisted she break the news. It was the second toughest moment of
her life, second only to taking her children to the hospital to say goodbye to
Matthew before his life or death operation. What happens over the next few
hours and weeks to this point, 18 months later, is truly inspiring.
This SUNDAY NIGHT special event hosted by Chris Bath airs on
Sunday, September 29 on Channel Seven at 8pm following The X Factor
