AMPed Up 2025 Speaker Feature - Korrin

Fourteen days later, however, Korrin was in intensive care with a perforated bowel requiring emergency surgery to remove most of her large intestine. Her body began shutting down and she was battling sepsis and multiple organ failure. Placed into an induced coma, Korrin’s chances of survival were bleak at less than 10 percent.

Nine days later, with Korrin miraculously alive, the decision was made to amputate both legs and her hands due to irreparable damage from sepsis. “I remember being quite calm about losing my legs, but losing my hands was very hard to deal with. I began thinking of all the things I wouldn’t be able to do, like feeding and dressing myself, to silly things, like using my hair straighteners. I was in complete shock.”

A lengthy seven-month hospital stay followed and being confined to a hospital bed was excruciating. Once out of hospital, Korrin was totally reliant on her partner, Craig, for her personal care. “It was so demeaning. I actually told him to leave me when I woke from the coma. I couldn’t get my head around how he would cope. I told him to walk away now, not in two years or five years’ time.” Craig gave up his job to become Korrin’s carer and he’s never looked back. "I’ve just tried to take a positive view and concentrated on getting her back to the independent woman she’d always been. That meant getting her driving again and supporting her through surgery on her legs so she could get in and out of bed without my help.”

The couple, who are now back in New Zealand and living in Havelock North, say humour has been a massive part of Korrin’s recovery. “Craig’s got some really inappropriate jokes. He’s never allowed me to wallow in self-pity. I think the experience has really bonded us and we are closer now than ever.”

Korrin is busier than she’s ever been, taking on the public speaking circuit and volunteering in disability advocacy roles within multiple organisations. With Craig’s encouragement, she’s started mentoring others, and also facilitates inspiring and educative workshops to students, corporates and community groups. “My topics cover survival, resilience and triumph over adversity amongst other things. I try to focus not on what happened to me, but what I’ve done since and how fitness and good health saved my life. There are three choices when something like this shakes your world – give in, give up or give it all you’ve got. I chose the latter. Sure, there are things I can’t do, like change my shoes or put in my earrings, and there are times I feel frustrated and sad, but I need to remind myself of what I can still do, not what I can’t.”

Korrin says she’s amazed that life is more rewarding now than it was before her ordeal began. “I’m able to spend my days giving back and meeting people from all walks of life. I appreciate what I have and am extremely grateful for the opportunities it has presented to me."

Korrin last attended a Limbs 4 Life event in 2017 and is really looking forward to presenting her story. She also can’t wait to catch up with old friends and make new connections. Korrin is a brand ambassador for Taska, President for the Amputee Federation of New Zealand, and a Peer Support volunteer for Peke Waihanga New Zealand. Make sure you say “hello” to Korrin at AMPed Up! 

Tickets

AMPed Up 2025 is a ticketed event and only those who have purchased a ticket will be granted entry. 

If you require assistance or information about AMPed Up 2025 including how to get your ticket(s), please email info@limbs4life.org.au or call us on 1300 782 231. 

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