10:46AM, Fri Feb 15, 2013

Happy Feet: Innovative Footwear That Allows Toddler To Dance

By Alice Hedworth Location: Gateshead

Happy Feet: Meet Ava - the toddler who beat all the odds

A baby who lost her toes to meningitis has taken up dance classes after being fitted with new silicone feet.

At just 15-months-old, Ava Bainbridge spent 10 days on a ventilator in intensive care fighting meningococcal septicaemia, before surgeons were forced to amputate her toes and parts of her feet to save her life in 2011.

But now the three-year-old is running, walking and dancing in her 'pretend feet' - the first prosthetics to be made for someone so young.

Ava's mum Gemma Clay, 28, of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear said: "Two years ago we didn't know if Ava was ever going to walk again, let alone dance.

"She's running, walking and dancing now and it just shows how far she's come in such a short space of time. She's still only three but she's come a long way.

"It makes us feel so proud."

Following the operation, Ava was given blocks to put into her shoes to help her to walk again, but she found them too uncomfortable. She has now been fitted with a pair of silicone slippers with toes on the end, which are put on before ordinary shoes.

The toddler started classes at 'Acting Up' in Low Fell, where she performs in front of a group of children every week.

As part of her three-hour lesson every Saturday, Ava sings, dances and acts with other children her age.