‘I wouldn’t be the athlete I’m right now’ – Alice Tai on the ability of antibiotics
Triple Paralympic champion Alice Tai has revealed how antibiotics played a crucial role throughout her life after undergoing 14 surgeries before the age of 12.
Triple Paralympic champion Alice Tai has revealed how antibiotics played a crucial role throughout her life after undergoing 14 surgeries before the age of 12.
Alice Tai needed 14 surgeries before she even turned 12 years old, so the para swimmer knows only too well the dangers of infection. Now a triple Paralympic champion, Tai was born with clubfoot and faced significant challenges, eventually electing to have her left leg amputated below the knee.
Having spent so much time in and out of hospital, the threat of infection has been at the forefront of Tai’s thinking, and that is why she is lending her support to the Keep antibiotics in play campaign to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance.
Teaming up with the Fleming Initiative, with funding and support from GSK, Tai is hoping to raise awareness of the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and encourage the public to help protect antibiotics.
She said: “Before I turned 12, I’d had 14 major operations, many of them in quick succession. The risk of infection was always high. During one procedure, I had pins driven through my legs, so I effectively had open wounds for months afterwards. Avoiding bacterial infection was absolutely vital throughout that process.
“I know that if I hadn’t had access to effective antibiotics, I wouldn’t be able to walk the way I do now. I probably wouldn’t be the swimmer or the athlete I am today. So, when I heard about this campaign, it immediately resonated with me because it’s something I feel very strongly about.
“More recently, I had my amputation before the last Commonwealth Games. Again, there was only a seven-month window between the operation and competing at the Games. That wouldn’t have been possible without effective antibiotics.
“So much of my life has depended on being able to avoid bacterial infections and recover safely from surgery. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about.”
Antibiotics are essential to treat bacterial infections, but their effectiveness is under threat as bacteria develop resistance due to overuse and misuse.
Often referred to as ‘superbugs’, these resistant bacteria are making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risks associated with routine procedures including surgery and cancer treatment.
Antibiotic resistance already causes over one million deaths each year and without urgent action, almost 40 million lives could be lost between 2025 and 2050.
Tai added: “What worries me now is the prospect of antibiotic resistance. If bacteria continue to evolve and become resistant to antibiotics, future surgeries could become much riskier. I may need surgery again one day, and there’s no guarantee recovery would be as straightforward if effective antibiotics weren’t available.
“That’s genuinely frightening. I’m incredibly grateful that wasn’t something my parents had to worry about when I was growing up.
“That’s why I want people to understand the full journey from amputation to podium. This message isn’t just relevant to amputees. It applies to anyone who’s prescribed antibiotics.
“Take them properly. Complete the course as directed. Dispose of any unused medication correctly. Don’t share them with other people and only take them when they’ve been prescribed by a healthcare professional.
“It’s so important because other people will need surgery in the future. Other people will need amputations or medical treatment. I genuinely don’t believe I would have won Commonwealth gold after my amputation without effective antibiotics.”
Rebecca Adlington, Matt Dawson and Alice Tai have teamed up with the Fleming Initiative to launch the Keep antibiotics in play campaign, to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance, with funding and support from GSK. For more information visit here.
