9岁“无腿”小模特亮相纽约时装周，火遍全球

Daisy-May Demetre is, in many ways, just like any fifth-grader. In school, she prefers English over math and loves gymnastics. But it’s when she is on the runway that she exude the most confidence.

Last week, she became the first child double-amputee to walk in a show at New York Fashion Week.

“I feel proud of myself,” she said.

Demetre was born in Birmingham, England with a rare condition that required both of her legs to be amputated when she was just 18 months old. Following the surgery, she was fitted with prosthetic blades that allowed her to walk and run.

But that hasn’t stopped her from strutting her stuff. Most recently, she received huge recognition after doing cartwheels down the runway at London Kids Fashion Week in April.

“Daisy’s a special, unique child doing stuff all the doctors told me would never really be possible,” said her dad, Alex. He said his daughter’s blossoming modeling career came seemingly by chance.

“It just so happened on the TV pops up a disabled modeling agency,” he told CBS News. He asked Demetre, “Do you want to be a supermodel?”

Her reply? “Yes!”

Designer Enikö Hegedüs-Buiron took notice. “We had an instant connection,” she said. Demetre is now a brand ambassador for her Lulu et Gigi clothing line.

“I want people to see that beauty is not one-sided,” Hegedüs-Buiron said. “It’s a multi-faceted thing.”

Demetre’s family makes sure she keeps up with her studies alongside her modeling gigs, which have seen her work with some of the biggest brands in fashion since she launched her career in 2018.

She was also one of the 13 winners at the Pride of Birmingham awards on March 26 this year, given out to members of the community who have shown outstanding compassion or bravery. Demetre was named a “child of courage” for inspiring other children to dream big in the face of immense challenges.

When asked about the advice she’d like to give to children like herself, she said, “Just never give up, and just do what you can do.”

Demetre will represent Lulu et Gigi again later this month at Paris Fashion Week, where she’ll model at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

(SD-Agencies)