Jutima (Jam) Shinasri was 15 when she moved from Thailand to Australia to pursue her passion for linguistics. Her journey eventually led her to become a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) teacher in Sydney. But it took an unexpected turn 13 years later.
Shinasri contracted meningococcal disease, an uncommon but serious bacterial infection caused by meningococcal bacteria, and lost both her lower legs and all her fingertips in 2018. With the "unwavering support" from her family, friends, and medical professionals, she walked the catwalk during Australian Fashion Week 2022 using prosthetics. "(Your) Mindset is a mighty thing.
Even when your body is not okay, try to focus on the good things you still have," she said. Although the number of meningococcal cases has been on the decline in Australia for the past five years, information available from Victoria's suggests infants, young children, adolescents and young adults are most at risk. "Cases occur more often during winter and early spring," it says.
Australia recorded 281 meningococcal cases in 2018 and 206 in 2019, according to The number of cases dropped during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with Australia registering 90 in 2020 and 74 in 2021. The cases have picked up again with 125 reported in 2022 and 143 in 2023. This year alone, 47 cases have been reported.
Unlike in Australia, in Thailand, vaccinations against the disease are not included in the national vaccination program and are costly. Shi.
