Brantford resident Amalie Henze, 21, is distributing Amalie’s Guide to Sepsis to educate Canadians about the symptoms and dangers of the medical condition following a 2023 septic shock diagnosis that resulted in the amputation of her hands and feet. Henze developed the 18-page booklet in collaboration with the Canadian Sepsis Foundation and her law firm, Neinstein LLP, to address a lack of public awareness surrounding the preventable cause of death.
Amalie Henze Launches Sepsis Educational Campaign
Henze’s campaign relies on an educational guide launched at a Sepsis Awareness Symposium in September. The publication utilizes the spelling of the word sepsis to outline critical warning signs for the public. The acronym highlights six key indicators: slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing little or no urine all day, severe breathlessness, a feeling of impending doom, and skin that appears mottled or discoloured.
“My story is not unique,” Henze said. “Sepsis can happen to anyone and, for so many, the common denominator is that before it became part of their story, people were totally unaware about it.”
Medical History Behind the Septic Shock Diagnosis
The medical emergency began when Henze, who has Crohn’s disease and a history of hospitalizations for bowel obstructions, sought treatment for what she suspected was another obstruction. She experienced unmanageable bladder pain, extreme confusion, and a sense of impending doom. Doctors discovered a perforation in her small intestine that progressed into septic shock, causing her to lose consciousness and spend weeks in a coma before undergoing quadruple amputations.
Sepsis triggers a severe immune system overreaction to an existing infection—such as a wound or a chest, bladder, or gallbladder infection—resulting in body-wide inflammation. Globally, the condition is connected to about 11 million deaths and costs the Canadian healthcare system $1.7 billion annually, despite currently having no conclusive diagnostic test.
Henze Builds Online Following While Adapting to Bionic Arms
Following her surgeries, Henze built an online following of more than 180,000 users across TikTok and Instagram to discuss sepsis symptoms and recovery. She is currently outfitted with one bionic arm and is preparing to receive a second, noting that rapid advancements in prosthetic technology have aided her rehabilitation.
“I kind of lucked out because the technology for prosthetics right now is very innovative,” Henze said. “They’re constantly coming out with new things and I’ve been very supported.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Amalie’s Guide to Sepsis
Where can I download Amalie’s Guide to Sepsis?
The 18-page educational booklet can be downloaded for free at the Neinstein LLP website.
Which organizations partnered to create the sepsis guide?
The guide was produced with support from the Canadian Sepsis Foundation and Neinstein LLP, and was officially launched at a Sepsis Awareness Symposium in September.
What are the primary symptoms outlined in the educational booklet?
The guide uses the letters of sepsis to highlight slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing little or no urine all day, severe breathlessness, a feeling that you are going to die, and mottled or discoloured skin.
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