5-Year-Old Girl Does Gymnastics & Half-Marathons despite Having Lost Limbs to Meningitis

Harmonie-Rose Allen, who lost all four limbs and part of her nose because of meningitis, enjoys gymnastics and takes part in half marathons.

In an interview with Meningitis.org, Harmonie's parents explained that their 5-year-old daughter contracted meningitis in 2014 aged ten months. The infection resulted in her limbs and some portion of her nose being amputated.

"It's really important to keep her active and I want Harmonie to know she can do anything she puts her mind to in life, so that she will see no barriers."

However, the young girl, who uses prosthetic legs, isn't giving her disability a chance to hold her back. Not long ago, she endeavored to cross the end goal at a half-marathon and even participated in gymnastics classes.

Freya Hall, Harmonie's mother, disclosed to Somerset Live recently that her daughter has been going to gymnastics class every week.

According to Freya, they were somewhat doubtful at first when she requested to do it.

Harmonie beams as she bounces on a trampoline and tries to improve her version of a cartwheel or backward rolls.

“She was a bit nervous to begin with, but since then she’s never looked back," the proud mom explained. "In terms of the moves and apparatus, the coaches help her, and she just finds her own way of doing things.”

The experience has been very positive for Harmonie. She has huge fun as she makes friends doing her preferred new leisure activity.

“To begin with, some children did look at her a bit in gym class, but she’s made so many friends, and she’s really enjoying it,” Freya said.

"It's really important to keep her active and I want Harmonie to know she can do anything she puts her mind to in life, so that she will see no barriers," she added.

Freya noted that during class, Harmonie does not wear her prosthetic limbs.

In March, Harmonie pulled off another tear-jerking accomplishment when she participated in the Bath Half Marathon.

Though she was pushed in a wheelchair for most of the race, she walked the finish line on Great Pulteney Street with her prosthetic legs.

As an infant, Harmonie was given only a 10 percent possibility of survival when she was first taken to the emergency clinic.

However, she has bounced back since then and figured out how to walk on prosthetic limbs in 2017.