Strutting her stuff: meet the 10-year-old double amputee owning the runway

Daisy-May Demetre walks the runway at Paris Fashion Week. (PHOTO: Reuters)

This young model is no
stranger to the runways of the world’s fashion capitals. Daisy-May Demetre
(10), from Birmingham in the UK, has strutted her stuff at the New York, London
and Paris Fashion Weeks, representing some of the biggest brands.

Daisy-May is also a
talented gymnast who spends at least three days a week training – and she’s
also a double amputee.

Before Daisy-May was
born, an ultrasound scan showed that she was likely to have fibular hemimelia,
a condition where either all or part of the fibula bone is missing.

When she was just 18
months old, her legs were amputated.

The young model won’t let her disability stop her from achieving her dreams. (PHOTO: Reuters)

“I really struggled
after Daisy-May had her legs amputated,” her dad, Alex, says. “It was a very
dark time for me.”

Daisy-May, however, proved
to be more than resilient.

At age eight she made
her debut in the modelling world at London Kids’ Fashion Week. The following
year she represented a brand at New York Fashion Week and she has gone on to
model at Paris Fashion Week.

She was the first
double amputee to walk in the Lulu et Gigi show in Paris, which took place at
the top of the Eiffel Tower.

The 10-year-old, who
has one blade and one basic prosthetic, has worked with brands such as Nike,
River Island and Boden.

She’s also the brand
ambassador for AmpCamp Kids, a non-profit foundation that hosts holidays for
amputee kids and their families.

This year the
foundation will host a week-long camp in Tenerife, Spain, for six families.
Daisy-May will be sharing her story to encourage the children to pursue
whatever they have their hearts on.

Her father will also be
involved. “As part of the week,
I’ll also talk to the parents and show them that it’s difficult, but their
children can still thrive and live a full and happy life,” Alex said. 

“I’m incredibly proud
of Daisy-May,” Alex says. “She’s done so well with her modelling and enjoyed
many opportunities I never dreamt she would have.”

He says walking is
“between five and seven times harder” for his daughter but Daisy-May is a go-getter.

Daisy-May inspires him
every day, the proud dad adds. “She takes on life with a smile on her face and
she does remarkable things. Whether it’s dancing, singing or gymnastics, she is
a very special little girl.”

Sources: Metro.co.uk, thenationalnews.com, bbc.com