A little four-year-old boy has learnt to walk for the first time using his prosthetic legs after being just hours away from death.
Beauden Baumkirchner lost both of his legs and two fingers after falling off his bike and skinning his knee last October.
Beauden, from Arizona, US, became severely unwell and medics told parents Julianna, 43, and Brian, 44, that he was 'three hours away from death' as he fought a horrifying bacterial infection.
Last Christmas he was just getting to grips with the loss of his legs but now aged four, he is gleaming with pride as he struts his stuff on his new prosthetic legs.
Mum-of-three Julianna said: "We are so incredibly proud of Beauden, he has been so positive.
"He was sad for around three days when he realised he didn't have legs anymore but ever since, he has been his happy and bubbly self.
"Beauden has gone from strength to strength since being discharged on December 21, 2020.
"He has been attending physiotherapy and learning how to walk on his new prosthetics since September and now he can do it unaided.
"The smile on his face is priceless as he is chuffed that he has his independence back.
"It is a true miracle that he is still here."
In October 2020, Beauden, then three, fell off his bike and scraped his leg whilst camping with his parents and two sister Brianna, now nine, and Brigitte, seven.
A day later, he was rushed into hospital l as he developed a high temperature and vomiting.
Unbeknownst to his parents, the toddler had picked up Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) which was the cause of staph infection that is difficult to treat.
The infection was spreading rapidly around his body before sepsis set in.
Julianna adds: "We didn't realise the severity of his condition as we didn't know the signs.
"I just remember he was red hot and his temperature was 40 celsius.
"He was being sick and his knee was swollen.
"And then he began breathing fast so we took him to a near hospital but we never thought it was going to be something so sinister.
"The doctors took him away quickly as his blood pressure was low and hooking him up to an IV for the antibiotics.
"I remember feeling his feet which was ice cold and I thought it was super odd."
The parents - who own coffee shops - were told if they had waited 'three more hours' then he wouldn't have survived.
Beuden spent two weeks fighting for his life in an induced coma whilst his legs turned black.
Brian said: "For the first few days, the doctors were trying to keep him alive.
"We were praying for a miracle - we were terrified.
"He got a strain of MRSA in his body and his body reacted so strangely to it.
Prior to this, he was a healthy little boy so it remains a huge mystery - there are no answers as to why and how it happened.
"On November 2, he had both legs amputated below the knee but not even a week later, they realised the infection was still there and amputated above the right knee and through the left knee."
It wasn't just his legs that were affected, but arms too.
Beauden spent a total of 75 days in hospital and underwent 20 surgeries including many skin grafts from his back.
Julianna adds: "He was on a lot of medications and required two needles per day, wound care on arms and legs and antibiotics for six months.
"We want to erase some of the things we have seen and the screams we have heard.
"No parent or child should have to go through all that trauma but the most important thing is Beauden is still here.
"We hope his story raises awareness of sepsis and the signs.
"We thought he had a stomach bug and sprained knee."
The family are looking forward to Christmas at home with their loved ones.
Julianna added: "Last year, we were in our own little bubble as he was extremely vulnerable.
"So, we all can't wait to spend the festive season with our loved ones.
"They are all so proud of Beauden who has blown us all away with how determined, brave and positive he is!"
