A walking miracle... Freya, 2, fights back after losing both legs
PARENTS who took the agonising decision to have their little girl’s legs amputated are overjoyed now she can walk pain-free with prosthetic limbs.
Freya Gibbs was born with bilateral tibial hemimelia, which affects one in three million children.
It meant the two-year-old had no shin bones and could only move about by crawling on her knees.
Parents Danielle and Michael were left with a heartbreaking choice.
Freya could face a lifetime of surgery to help rebuild the bones or they could allow doctors to amputate.
Just six months after Freya’s legs were removed, the little fighter is now walking without pain.
Giggling
She was given a set of prosthetics four weeks ago.
Within days she had learned to walk and was happily strolling hand-inhand with sister Olivia, eight.
Danielle, of Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, said: “The first time Freya was able to walk outside with mummy and daddy holding a hand each felt like a miracle.
“Having Freya’s legs amputated was a horrendous decision to have to make.
“She was trying to run around the house on her knees and her legs were getting in her way. They would get caught on door frames and she would fall over them.
“It broke my heart. We couldn’t bear to see our happy baby in pain.
“Now we see her running Little fighter...Freya plays using the prosthetic limbs. Inset, with parents and sister Olivia. Right, before the operation
around giggling, playing with her sister. We’d make the same decision in a heartbeat.
“She grins from ear to ear when we bring them to her in the morning. She knows that once she’s put her legs on she can go out to play.”
Danielle, 26, a supermarket manager, said: “Watching them put my baby to sleep and wheel her down to surgery was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
“But I knew we were doing
it for the right reasons.” The family are now fundraising for the prosthetics Freya will need in the future.
They aim to raise £10,000 for new legs she will need as she grows, including a set of running blades for PE lessons when she goes to school.
Danielle added: “It’s a lottery as to whether these are available on the NHS.”
To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ freyassteps