Ten years ago Amy Camilleri Zahra was on her deathbed battling meningococcal septicaemia. She emerged without legs or fingers and lived to celebrate life’s milestones – learning to walk, driving, graduating, getting married… Ariadne Massa finds that entering the political arena may be the next box she ticks.

Amy Camilleri Zahra reflects on the past decade and while it seems it was only yesterday that her parents were planning her funeral, at the same time she struggles to remember a time when she did not have prosthetic legs.

Amy emerging from hospital in May 2006, after spending weeks battling to survive the deadly meningococcal septicaemia. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

"In a way this has always been my life,” she says, flashing the same infectious smile that has helped her surmount challenges and inspired the admiration of many.

“There were good times and bad but I’d say it’s been a positive anniversary overall.”

The post she uploaded on Facebook on February 16, marking her 10th anniversary has garnered nearly 3,000 likes, dozens of comments extolling her resilience, and been shared 91 times.

The 31-year-old is touched by words describing her as a “hero” but laughingly points out that she is not really that brave and has a penchant for fainting at the sight of blood.

“I guess I’m just practical. I know what it’s like to be scared and in pain. I’ve experienced all these negative emotions… Maybe it’s a cliché, but when you experience low points in your life then you can really appreciate the good times, and I’m too busy to dwell on the bad ones,” she shrugs. 

The young woman did not earn the nickname ‘the indomitable Amy’ for merely surviving. She is an inspiration to many because of her fighting spirit and positive determination to have a full life in the face of adversity. 

These days Ms Camilleri Zahra lectures in psychology and disability studies at the University of Malta, is doing a PhD on the social representations of disabled women, and presents a programme on TVM called MEA.

This newspaper has been following Ms Camilleri Zahra’s journey from the moment she emerged from three months in hospital, to the day she learnt to walk on prosthetic limbs, travelling alone, mastering the skill of her custom-made car and getting married to her biggest fan Mark Anthony Camilleri.

Amy gets behind the wheel of her tailor-made Volkswagen Polo. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

In 2009, fate decided to test her spirit again. Just as she was sailing through life under the misplaced belief that only one terrible thing could happen to a person, it emerged that she needed a kidney transplant. Luckily, her father, Ray, was a perfect match and the operation was a success.

“There were times, such as when I lost my legs, when I lamented why me? The same happened when I found out I had kidney failure. It’s obviously not easy,” she says.

“I try to focus on things that give me a sense of well-being and satisfaction and in all honesty this experience has also brought with it good opportunities. I’ve done things I’ve never dreamed of doing and ironically it’s broadened my horizons. 

“It’s easy to wallow in self-pity and lament your bad luck, but a sense of self-worth, that no matter what you’ll get through it in a dignified way, is what gave me the courage to move on. A support network also makes a difference as you know you’re not fighting alone.”

Mark Anthony and Amy cut their wedding cake surrounded by family and friends in 2012. Photo: Allen Venables

This is what helps her make the leap from victim to victor. The only thing that threatens to erase her smile is the mention of father, who she adored, and who died last year.

“I’m sorry but it’s hard to talk about him. I miss him every day,” she says.

One thing she does share is that her father and mother, Jane, imbued her with the belief that she could be anyone she wanted to be. This is one life lesson that has propelled her to become a campaigner for persons with disability.

One thing that frustrates her is that so much time is dedicated to discussions but it then takes forever to breathe life into a plan of action.

“Maybe it’s the malaise of working in the public sector. We’re always in meetings but clear agendas are hard to come by. Maybe because I’m pragmatic and want to see change brought about faster.”

She wishes to see more disabled people in the working world and hopes to one day see a disabled person voted into Parliament. 

Seeing that she is in a position to drive change, will she consider going out for politics?

“Eventually maybe. I’ve had requests from two of the three political parties to be a candidate for the upcoming election,” she laughs.

Acknowledging that entering the political arena will require time and sacrifices from her and her family, Ms Camilleri Zahra wonders if politics is the proper arena for enforcing values, but she is determined that if this is the path she chooses she is not willing to compromise.

“I appreciate I cannot be hard-headed and inflexible as we’re part of a team. The plan is to strike a balance between driving change and remaining true to your values.”