9-Year-old Double Amputee Made History on ‘New York Fashion Week’ Catwalk

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By Good News Network,  Sep 1 2019 , A 9-year-old British schoolgirl is set to make history after she becomes the first child double amputee to walk the catwalk at New York Fashion Week.

Daisy-May Demetre has been chosen as a model for the French-inspired fashion line Lulu et Gigi Couture after its founder saw her modeling in London.

Her appearance at the prestigious New York Fashion Week on September 8th will mark the first time a young double amputee has starred in the show.

The Birmingham schoolgirl is also set to strut her stuff in Paris Fashion Week at the end of next month.

Daisy-May’s legs were amputated as a result of being born with fibular hemimelia, a birth defect in which part of the fibular bone in the leg is missing.

Her parents, Alex and Claire Demetre, were shocked to learn of her condition after a doctor consulted a baby scan and informed them that the child would “have no legs”.

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Her parents Alex and Claire were given the difficult choice of either watching Daisy-May grow up with deformed feet that she wouldn’t be able to use or allowing doctors to perform a double amputation.

Hoping prosthetics would give her a better quality of life, she had the bottom of both limbs removed when she was just 18 months old.

Her parents never dreamed that their daughter would go on to become a fearless gymnast, as well as a model for Boden, Britain’s largest clothing catalogue.

“We didn’t know at the time that Daisy-May would be as good as she is now,” said Alex. “At the time, I was pretty isolated myself—I had a drinking problem and gambling addictions.

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“That has all changed—and that’s down to her taking each day with a big smile on her face,” he added. “She motivates me and I motivate her.”

Daisy-May got her big break in modeling as a result of Alex watching TV on his day off. He saw a feature from Zebedee Management, a modeling agency which casts children with disabilities in ad campaigns, and got in touch with them on a whim.

Since taking up modeling, Daisy-May has also worked for Nike and Matalan, and represented Lulu et Gigi at London Kids’ Fashion Week.

Daisy-May’s career has since sky-rocketed in popularity, and she has been inundated with interest from people wanting to cast her in modeling projects and advertisements.

Lulu et Gigi founder Eni Hegedűs-Buiron said: “For me, a child is a child and thus is beautiful and perfect,” she added.

Alex, meanwhile, says that he couldn’t be more proud of his daughter.

“[Daisy is] going to be making a little bit of history,” he boasted. “It is a good thing she is first to do it, but going forward, we want child amputees to be modeling at these shows all the time.

“Disability doesn’t stop you; it definitely doesn’t stop Daisy. She is fitter than most grown men I know.“But the modeling doesn’t define her, it is just a part of what does,” he added. “She just does Daisy, the way she goes about life with a smile on her face. 9-Year-old Double Amputee to Make History on ‘New York Fashion Week’ Catwalk

Read More........→February 19, 2026

Artist Uses Cremation Ashes to Create Unique Memorial Paintings With Personal Meanings

Artist Gary Harper uses cremation ashes to make personalized paintings for grieving families – SWNS

An artist is using cremation ashes in his paintings to create unique memorial landscapes that grieving families can personalize as a way to remember loved ones.

Gary Harper began painting professionally just two years ago and was inspired by the loss of his cousin to respectfully experiment with blending a small amount of ashes into his artwork.

He holds consultations with families to learn about the deceased and any their favorite memories, focusing on landscapes with a personal connection.

The 33-year-old from Liverpool began painting while at college and developed a love for still life and landscapes.

It wasn’t until he became an occupation therapy assistant in a psychiatric hospital that he saw first-hand the profound effect art could have on people.

“I held an art therapy session with a patient and we made so many paintings together,” said the 33-year-old. “I was guiding her through the process and I realized how much I enjoyed it.

“A month later, I picked up the brush and started painting for myself. The piece was abstract sunflowers and the feedback I got was overwhelming.”

Artist Gary Harper uses cremation ashes to make personalized paintings of landscapes or still life – SWNS

While painting in his free time in December 2024, his cousin Donna passed away from cancer.

“It was so close to Christmas and it was really emotional.

A year later, he was painting some seascapes when the thought crossed his mind that he could add some ashes.”

In November 2025, Gary painted his first Ashes to Art commission, aiming to provide a personalized memorial in acrylic paint for the bereaved.

“It was lovely the family trusted me,” he told SWNS news agency. “It’s a respectful process.”

“I do a consultation with the loved one, learning everything about the person and what they enjoyed.

Artist Gary Harper uses cremation ashes to make personalized painting SWNS SQUARE

“Visually the family can see where the ashes have gone, rather than scattering them.”

Gary’s canvases start at 12×12 inches (30x30cm) for $135 (£100), but he works with the family so they can afford the perfect picture.

“The reaction I get is joy, initially. Then it gets emotional.

“It’s a humbling experience to know you’ve helped someone through the grieving stage.”

“Some people scatter ashes and then there’s nothing left.

“With a painting, when it’s done, the family can feel the painting texture with the ashes, so they can still ‘feel’ the person in the painting, especially if it’s a place they used to love.”Learn more at the Gary Harper Art website. Artist Uses Cremation Ashes to Create Unique Memorial Paintings With Personal Meanings

Read More........→February 18, 2026