British boy doesn't let amputations stop his dream to become ballet dancer

From Metro in the UK:

This is Harvey Phillips, who lost both legs and an arm to meningitis – but that hasn't stopped him from taking up ballet.

The four-year-old had his limbs amputated at just nine months and his mother, Lisa, thought he would never be able to play with other boys and girls.

But the brave boy proved her wrong after watching his five-year-old sister Kayla at her ballet class.

Now he is able to run, jump, twirl and even play football thanks to the plastic caps which protect his legs.

'He wants to try everything, he doesn't understand the meaning of the word no,' said Ms Phillips, 34. 'I'm so proud of him.'

Harvey contracted meningitis at nine months and doctors feared he might not last the night, calling for a priest to baptise him. He pulled through, but his fingers and toes were left black by blood poisoning, so he had surgery.

'I was so worried he'd never have a good quality of life,' added his mother, of Louth in Lincolnshire.

'But I was determined he would have a positive attitude. I treat him the same as Kayla, if not a little harsher as he needs to learn to stick up for himself.'

Harvey's dance teacher said the boy coped well with her lessons.

Ballet classes have improved Harvey's posture and are also helping him walk on prosthetic legs. But he prefers his caps for dancing as they do not get in the way.

'He's in his element when he's being active and dancing. He's totally comfortable in his own body,' added Ms Phillips, who weds her fiancé Joe Chappell tomorrow – with Harvey as pageboy.

'If he can't do things the way his friends do, he'll find his own way. “I'll do it my way,” he tells me.

'Harvey means battle-worthy, and that's exactly what he is.'