Bride loses leg after wedding - Appeals for help to regain her independence

Five days before her wedding, Yaniki Davis's life took a devastating turn when a screw pierced the sole of her slippers, puncturing her foot.

Living with diabetes, she recognised the danger of even a minor injury and sought medical attention immediately. Doctors treated the wound, but the pain did not subside.

By the time she walked down the aisle, she was already suffering. The following morning, she was back in hospital - this time admitted for what would become a month-long stay.

"I didnt get a chance to go on a honeymoon," she said. "We were planning to go to a resort for the weekend, but I went to the hospital instead."

That hospitalisation added to a devastating chain of medical crises. Davis, a resident of Riverton Crescent, St Andrew, suffered a minor stroke shortly after being admitted. Then came another shock--she discovered she was pregnant with twins. As her body struggled to cope, one of the babies failed to thrive and later died in utero.

"I was told that I had to carry the pregnancy with the dead baby inside. One can imagine how stressful that must have been. Everything was just happening at once," she said.

Davis's battle with diabetes began years earlier. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teenager, she managed the condition with medication and lived what she described as a fairly normal and productive life.

Four years ago, however, a thumb tack piercing the base of her foot set off the slow-moving medical disaster that would cost her nearly everything she once took for granted. The injury seemed insignificant at first, similar to other cuts and scrapes she had sustained before, but this time the wound refused to heal.

As the pain intensified and swelling worsened, Davis sought medical care and was initially treated with antibiotics. Her condition continued to deteriorate, and she was eventually referred to Kingston Public Hospital, where doctors surgically removed damaged tissue from the sole of her foot and prescribed additional medication in an effort to stop the spread of infection.

Despite these interventions, one of her toes began to darken and shrink, a sign of severe tissue damage. Doctors advised that the toe had to be amputated to prevent the infection from spreading further.

Although she reluctantly agreed, believing it would end the ordeal, the infection persisted. Over time, Davis lost her remaining toes on the same foot.

To make matters worse, she sustained another injury to that already-compromised foot just days before her wedding, further aggravating the infection and landing her back in hospital. Instead of enjoying newly-wed life, the 34-year-old was being advised that amputation of her leg was necessary, as the infection had spread to other areas of her foot.

"I packed up my things and told them that I wasn't going to do that. I grew up with two foot and now I was being told that I have to lose it. I was angry even at God. I was hesitant so that made the infection spread even more so that had to amputate more than I had anticipated. In May 2025, my leg was cut off," she said.

In May 2025, her leg was amputated. Four months later, she gave birth.

Before her health deteriorated, Davis worked as a farmer and operated a small grocery shop. Her prolonged illness and repeated hospitalisations forced both ventures to close, stripping her of her livelihood.

Now unable to work, she is fully dependent on her husband, who spends most days at home caring for her. The loss of her independence has been one of the most difficult adjustments, particularly as she once helped to support her elderly parents.

Despite the depression and hardship, Davis remains hopeful. She dreams of returning to farming, reopening her shop, and one day walking again with the aid of a prosthetic limb. She continues to urge others living with diabetes not to ignore even the smallest injury, warning that what seems insignificant can quickly become life-altering.

"Do not ignore the simplest scratch because the tiny scrape that you see today can change or take your life in the next few days. I have gotten cuts that were deep before and they healed but this little one didn't. It cost me my independence. It left me in constant depression. Diabetes stole my joy," she said.

Davis is also hoping that some good Samaritan can step forward and assist her regain her independence.

"I love my farming and I miss it. I wouldn't mind I could get some help if is even one goat or pig or a little help to start back my shop," she said.

Anyone wishing to assist Yaniki Davis may contact her at 876-347-6004.